Sahil Wakode Death: Father Denied Protest Permission, Plans IIT-B Visit

The death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has triggered continuing protests by his family and students, with demands for accountability and an independent investigation. His father was recently denied permission to continue his protest at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, his lawyer said.

Sahil, a second-year BTech student in Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination. Reports said he was allegedly using the device to access ChatGPT. His family has alleged that the examination incident, along with alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment, contributed to the circumstances leading to his death. However, police have not established a definitive cause or found that any individual caused or contributed to his death. Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who detected the alleged examination malpractice, has denied the caste-related allegations.

CCTV footage has become an important part of the investigation. Reports said footage from around 12.30 pm to 12.45 pm showed Doolla questioning Sahil and asking him to leave the examination hall. Hostel CCTV reportedly showed Sahil entering his room at about 1.25 pm, after which he did not leave. Police later found him dead.

Questions have also been raised over a reported “apology” letter allegedly written after Sahil left the examination. IIT Bombay’s academic-malpractice procedure does not prescribe such a letter as mandatory. The rules provide for examination by a Departmental Academic Disciplinary Action Committee, an appeal mechanism and benefit of doubt where guilt is not conclusively established.

The incident triggered protests, with students submitting an 18-point charter seeking an independent probe, stronger disciplinary safeguards and improved mental-health services. Their demands include mentors during disciplinary proceedings, counsellors in hostels, one counsellor for every 250 students, a 24/7 psychiatrist on call and a permanent student-wellbeing task force.

IIT Bombay later apologised for aspects of its initial communication about Sahil’s death and removed Doolla as Dean (Administrative Affairs), though he remained a professor. The institute also constituted a 10-member internal inquiry committee, headed by Ramesh Venkateswaran, with faculty, students, a retired IAS officer, a former vigilance officer and psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) conducted a spot inquiry on September 24. Meanwhile, the Powai Police FIR against Doolla invokes abetment to suicide and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act before the case was transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch.

The Crime Branch has recorded statements from more than 40 people, including family members, students and hostel staff. Sahil’s electronic devices have been sent for forensic examination. Doolla was questioned for nearly 10 hours, while IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare was questioned for around nine to 10 hours on October 2. Both have denied caste-related allegations.

Sahil’s parents have continued their hunger strike and sought a CBI probe, while students have also intensified their agitation. The investigation is examining the examination incident, institutional procedures, caste-discrimination allegations and the events preceding Sahil’s death. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.