The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide on September 18, have begun a hunger strike in Mumbai, demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and other officials named in the FIR connected with their son’s death.
Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began their protest at Azad Maidan on September 24 after meeting the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). The family has alleged that Sahil faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay and has called for a speedy and thorough investigation.
What are Sahil’s parents demanding?
The family is seeking:
- Immediate arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.
- A speedy investigation into Sahil’s death.
- Action against anyone found responsible for harassment or other wrongdoing.
- Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the release of CCTV footage.
- Consideration of transferring the investigation to the CBI, a possibility reportedly discussed with the NCSC.
Sahil’s father has said that his son had told the family about alleged caste-based discrimination before his death. These allegations remain subject to investigation.
Why is Professor Doolla named in the case?
Professor Doolla was the invigilator during an examination on September 18 in which Sahil was allegedly found using a mobile phone. Police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence concerning what happened during and after the examination.
Doolla has been named in the FIR and has been sent on leave while the investigation proceeds. IIT Bombay had earlier removed him from his administrative responsibilities as Dean of Administrative Affairs, while he remained a faculty member.
Importantly, being named in an FIR does not establish criminal responsibility. The Mumbai Crime Branch investigation is still ongoing.
IIT Bombay sets up inquiry committee
IIT Bombay has established a 10-member high-level committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is conducting a separate investigation. Police have appealed against speculation or premature conclusions while the evidence is being examined.
The institute has also postponed its mid-semester examinations scheduled for September 26–27 to October 10–11 amid the controversy. IIT Bombay additionally issued a fresh apology concerning its earlier communication about the circumstances preceding Sahil’s death.
CCTV footage becomes a key part of the investigation
CCTV footage from the examination hall has circulated publicly and reportedly shows Doolla approaching Sahil and taking him away from the examination hall after the alleged incident involving a mobile phone. Investigators are examining the footage alongside other evidence to reconstruct the events leading up to Sahil’s death.
The central questions now before investigators include what happened during the examination, what occurred afterward, whether Sahil experienced caste-based harassment, and whether any individual’s actions contributed to his death. Those questions have not yet been conclusively established.
