The IIT Bombay faculty on Monday released a statement in support of the professor hours after Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was removed as the Dean (Administrative Affairs) amid mounting pressure from the protests on campus two days after the suicide of a student.

Professor Doolla was the invigilator in the examination hall where Sahil Wakode was among the students appearing for the exam on Friday, September 18. Doolla allegedly caught Sahil with a mobile phone and using ChatGPT inside the examination hall. Later that day, Sahil died by suicide.

In a statement, the Faculty Forum of IIT Bombay said it was “distressed by the vilification of our colleague’s reputation by false and misleading reports that have appeared in the media” and “stands strongly” with Prof Suryanarayana Doolla.

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“We also reiterate that we are pained by the sad demise of our student due to the unfortunate incident on 18th September 2026,” it further said.

The statement also highlights that Prof Doolla has been “temporarily relieved” of his duties as dean to enable an “independent, unbiased investigation” into the suicide case of the student on September 18. The faculty statement also adds that Prof Doolla “continues to be a faculty member in good standing,” indicating that he remains a professor at the institution.

While IIT Bombay has not issued an official statement, IIT Bombay Director Prof Shireesh Kedare, in an email to all students earlier in the day, announced the suspension of Prof. Doolla as dean.

The move has, however, angered protesting IIT Bombay students who have been demanding that Prof. Doolla be suspended immediately from his professorship.

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Earlier today, faculty members gathered on the campus in support of Prof Doolla. The faculty forum also plans a separate march inside the campus in solidarity with the professor.

The Mumbai Police has registered an FIR naming Professor Doolla, based on a complaint by Sahil’s parents, who have alleged that their son was a victim of caste-based discrimination by the professor. 

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