Professor Suryanarayana Doolla is an educator in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering (DESE) and has been associated with the institute for more than a decade.
His academic specialisation includes power systems, smart grids, microgrids, renewable-energy integration, converter control and energy efficiency. His IIT Bombay profile lists several research publications in these areas. How Did He Come Into The Sahil Wakode Case? The institute has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him before his death. Wakode’s family, however, made allegations of harassment and caste-based discrimination. Based on the family’s complaint, Mumbai Police registered a case invoking provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and Doolla was among those named in the complaint. These allegations are subject to investigation. Suspension Amid Student Protests Following Wakode’s death, students began protesting on the IIT Bombay campus and demanded action against Doolla, including his suspension. The demands included action against Doolla. At the same time, IIT Bombay’s Faculty Forum publicly backed Doolla, saying he was performing his duties as an invigilator and had followed the institute’s prescribed procedure after detecting the alleged examination malpractice. Doolla’s career at IIT Bombay extends beyond classroom teaching and research. He has also been associated with the organisation of major examinations, including JEE Advanced, UCEED and CEED.
Doolla completed his B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from Nagarjuna University in 2000, followed by an M.Tech in Energy Systems Engineering from IIT Bombay in 2002 and a PhD in Power Systems from IIT Delhi in 2007. Before joining IIT Bombay , he worked with Power Research and Development Consultants in Bengaluru and Machine 2 Machine in Hyderabad. Doolla came into focus following the death of 20-year-old IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode on September 18, 2026. On September 20, IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare met the protesting students and signed an 18-point charter of demands. 20-year-old IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode died by suicide. Doolla was suspended by IIT Bombay on the evening of September 20, following the sustained student protests. He has served as Warden of Hostel 6 and later as Dean of Student Affairs.
Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had uploaded the question paper to an AI platform to seek answers, according to IIT Bombay . IIT Bombay has said that Sahil Wakode was subsequently counselled by the instructor Doolla was the course instructor and examination invigilator during the examination and was involved in reporting the alleged examination malpractice to the institute’s authorities. IIT Bombay has said that Wakode was subsequently counselled by the instructor and Head of Department and was assured that the examination incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
His Academic And Administrative Record His academic recognitions include the Prof. His research work has focused particularly on smart-grid and microgrid technologies, distributed energy resources, power-system operation and control, and energy efficiency. Current Status
SP Sukhatme Excellence in Teaching Award in 2021, IIT Bombay’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017, and the Young Faculty Award in 2009, besides recognition through IEEE awards and fellowships.
IIT Bombay Suspends Doolla Amid Ongoing Investigation
Doolla has been suspended from IIT Bombay as of September 21, following the ongoing controversy related to Sahil Wakode’s death. This suspension is not linked to any criminal charges, as the police investigation into Wakode’s death continues.
The situation encompasses three key elements: the examination incident involving Wakode, allegations from his family, and the student protests that have emerged in response to Doolla’s suspension. The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum asserts that Doolla was fulfilling his academic duties in line with institutional protocols during the incident.
