Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Alumni Defend IIT-Bombay Professor Amid Student Suicide Demands
A student named Sahil Ravindra Wakode died at IIT-Bombay.
Some people have demanded that Professor Suryanarayana Doolla be arrested or resign.
Former board chairman Sharad Kumar Saraf and alumnus Deepak Birewar F defended the professor.
Saraf said Doolla was innocent and that there was no evidence against him.
He said Doolla had worked on student well-being when he was dean.
Saraf also criticised the lawyer representing the student’s parents.
He claimed the lawyer’s actions could harm IIT-Bombay and its education system.
Saraf questioned claims that caste discrimination was involved, while the demands against Doolla continued.
Former IIT-Bombay Board of Governors Chairman Sharad Kumar Saraf and alumnus Deepak Birewar F defended Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.
The defense followed demands for Doolla’s arrest and resignation after student Sahil Ravindra Wakode’s death.
Saraf said Doolla was “totally innocent,” describing him as an upright professor and saying there was no evidence against him.
Saraf alleged that the lawyer representing Wakode’s parents was politically affiliated and was trying to destabilise IIT-Bombay.
Saraf also questioned claims of caste-based discrimination, saying the issue was raised by Wakode’s parents two days after his death.
- Who
- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, student Sahil Ravindra Wakode, former board chairman Sharad Kumar Saraf, alumnus Deepak Birewar F, and Wakode’s parents’ lawyer.
- What
- Alumni and a former IIT-Bombay board chairman defended Doolla amid demands for his arrest and resignation after Wakode’s death.
- When
- The statements were made on Wednesday; the article does not provide a date.
- Where
- IIT-Bombay.
- Why
- Supporters defended Doolla and opposed what they described as attempts to target or destabilise the institute, while critics have raised demands related to Wakode’s death and alleged caste discrimination.
Calls for Accountability
Defense of Professor Doolla
Arrest and resignation
Calls for Accountability
Those calling for action want Professor Suryanarayana Doolla arrested and have questioned whether he should remain in his position after Sahil Ravindra Wakode’s death.
Defense of Professor Doolla
Sharad Kumar Saraf and Deepak Birewar F defended Doolla, with Saraf saying he was totally innocent and that there was no evidence against him.
Caste discrimination allegations
Calls for Accountability
Wakode’s parents raised allegations of caste-based discrimination, according to Saraf’s account.
Defense of Professor Doolla
Saraf questioned the allegations, saying caste had not been discussed earlier and that the issue was raised two days after Wakode’s death.
Role of the parents’ lawyer
Calls for Accountability
The lawyer representing Wakode’s parents has been involved in developments leading to demands against Doolla and the institute.
Defense of Professor Doolla
Saraf alleged that the lawyer had political affiliations and was “stage managing” events to destabilise IIT-Bombay, though he acknowledged that political affiliation itself was not wrong.
- Professor defended
- Suryanarayana Doolla
- Student who died
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode
- Defenders
- Sharad Kumar Saraf and Deepak Birewar F
- Demands reported
- Doolla’s arrest and resignation
- Saraf’s position
- Doolla is “totally innocent,” and there is no evidence against him
- Disputed issue
- Allegations of caste-based discrimination
- Saraf’s broader concern
- Pressure on faculty could discourage them from confronting cheating