Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Ambedkar Seeks Independent Probe Into IIT Bombay Student Death
Sahil Wakode was a student at IIT Bombay who died.
The institute connected his death to an alleged cheating incident.
Sujat Ambedkar says the institute should not decide what happened before an independent investigation.
He wants a fair and time-bound inquiry.
Sahil’s family has also alleged that he faced caste-based insults.
Ambedkar says those claims should be investigated rather than dismissed.
He wants evidence protected and plans to meet the institute’s Dean on September 23.
He says the focus should remain on finding out what happened, not on cheating or reservation debates.
VBA youth leader Sujat Ambedkar questioned IIT Bombay’s decision to link Sahil Wakode’s death to an alleged examination-cheating incident.
Ambedkar said the institute was not an investigative agency and should not have issued a definitive public version before an independent inquiry.
He called for examination of Sahil Wakode’s family’s allegations of caste-based insults and for relevant evidence to be preserved.
Ambedkar also questioned alleged media leaks and urged authorities to release footage or identify the sources of reported leads.
He is scheduled to visit IIT Bombay in Mumbai on September 23 to meet the Dean and seek institutional answers.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, IIT Bombay, and VBA youth leader Sujat Ambedkar are central to the case; Wakode’s family has also raised allegations.
- What
- Ambedkar is seeking an independent investigation into Wakode’s death and questioning IIT Bombay’s initial public statement.
- When
- Ambedkar posted his objections on September 22, 2026, and is scheduled to visit IIT Bombay on September 23.
- Where
- IIT Bombay in Mumbai.
- Why
- Ambedkar says the institute’s account was issued before an independent investigation and could harm the deceased student’s reputation.
Independent Investigation
Institutional Account
How Wakode’s death should be understood
Independent Investigation
Sujat Ambedkar says IIT Bombay should not link the death to alleged examination cheating before an independent inquiry.
Institutional Account
IIT Bombay issued an initial public statement linking the death to an alleged examination-cheating incident, though the article does not provide a detailed response from the institute to Ambedkar’s criticism.
Caste-based-insult allegations
Independent Investigation
Ambedkar says the allegations made by Wakode’s family must be investigated and should not be dismissed.
Institutional Account
No opposing response to those allegations is provided in the article.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode
- Institution
- IIT Bombay
- Demand
- An impartial, independent and time-bound investigation
- Additional allegation
- Wakode’s family has alleged caste-based insults
- Evidence request
- Preservation of relevant evidence and release of footage or identification of sources for reported leads
- Scheduled meeting
- Sujat Ambedkar is expected to meet the IIT Bombay Dean at about 4 p.m. on September 23