IIT Delhi, Madras faculty forums back Prof Doolla amid student death controversy

Faculty forums at IIT Delhi and IIT Madras have expressed solidarity with IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla following the death of a student at the institute. The forums called for due process and cautioning against public vilification and what the IIT Delhi forum described as “mob-driven” behaviour.

The statements by the two faculty bodies came amid a controversy at IIT Bombay following the death of a student on September 18. Both forums expressed condolences to the student's family and the wider IIT Bombay community, while stressing that the circumstances surrounding the incident should be examined fairly and through established institutional and legal processes.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryIIT DELHI FACULTY FORUM CONDEMNS ‘MOB-DRIVEN’ BEHAVIOURThe IIT Delhi Faculty Forum, in a statement dated September 21, said it observed a two-minute silence in memory of the deceased student and conveyed its sympathies to the bereaved family.

The forum said Prof Doolla was “simply discharging his duties” during an examination at IIT Bombay in accordance with institutional guidelines. It alleged that several accusations had been made publicly against the professor without credible evidence and condemned what it described as an attempt to tarnish his reputation.

The faculty body also expressed concern among teachers over the conduct of examinations and evaluations and their ability to maintain academic integrity under the circumstances prevailing at IIT Bombay.

It appealed to students, their families and the wider public to support faculty members so that they can continue to uphold fairness and integrity across the IIT system.

The IIT Delhi Faculty Forum further criticised what it called “mob-driven behaviour”, saying such conduct appeared to have influenced decision-making in the recent controversy involving IIT campuses. It warned that such developments could be detrimental to the broader education system.

The forum urged IIT Bombay to provide Prof Doolla and his family with all necessary institutional and personal support, including legal and financial assistance wherever required. It also said its members were prepared to extend support in any form necessary.IIT MADRAS FACULTY BODY CALLS FOR FAIR, TRANSPARENT INQUIRY

The Faculty Association of IIT Madras also expressed solidarity with Prof Doolla while stressing the need for a fair and transparent inquiry.

In its statement, the association said it was “deeply saddened” by the death of the IIT Bombay student and extended condolences to his parents, family, friends, classmates and the wider student community.

The association said the death of any student was a loss to the entire academic community and a reminder that institutions must keep the wellbeing of every student a central priority.

At the same time, the IIT Madras Faculty Association said the circumstances surrounding the incident should be examined fairly and through due process. Referring to the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum's position, it said Prof Doolla, as the course instructor and invigilator, acted in accordance with the institute's Senate-approved academic procedures.

“Faculty members across the IIT system are entrusted with upholding the integrity of examinations,” the association said, adding that they must be able to discharge this responsibility in good faith and according to established institutional procedures without fear of personal vilification.

The association urged that any inquiry into the incident be conducted by the appropriate institutional and legal authorities in a fair, transparent and time-bound manner, with full respect for the dignity of the student and his family.

It also urged that no individual be held responsible publicly or in the media before the inquiry had run its course. The association cautioned against “premature conclusions, media trials and speculation”, including on social media, saying these could cause lasting harm to those concerned and would not serve the cause of justice or the memory of the student.REVIEW OF ACADEMIC MALPRACTICE PROCEDURES

The IIT Madras Faculty Association also called for the inquiry to examine whether institutional procedures for handling academic malpractice provide students with adequate support, counselling and safeguards during moments of acute stress.

It said such situations should be handled with both academic integrity and compassion.

The association appealed to students, faculty members, administrators, the media and the public to exercise restraint and sensitivity and allow the process to establish the facts.

The IIT Madras Faculty Association said it stood in solidarity with its colleague at IIT Bombay as well as with students and families across academic institutions, whose wellbeing and trust, it said, are the foundation of the education system.

The statements by the IIT Delhi and IIT Madras faculty bodies come amid continuing scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the IIT Bombay student's death and the handling of the examination-related incident. Both forums have called for the facts to be established through due process before responsibility is attributed to any individual.- EndsPublished By: Mridusmita DekaPublished On: Sep 22, 2026 10:00 ISTRead | IIT-B students clarify protest amid student suicide: We don't condone cheatingRead | Not suspended: IIT-B faculty forum backs Prof Doolla after student suicide