Archive · 29 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Student’s Parents Continue Hunger Strike, Demand Justice
Sahil Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
Earlier that day, he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during an exam.
His parents say he faced caste discrimination at the institute.
They are protesting in Mumbai and want certain people arrested.
Their lawyer said no government representative had initially approached them.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale later spoke to the parents and promised that their concerns would be addressed.
Police and an IIT committee are separately investigating what happened.
Ravindra and Sonali Wakode entered the second day of a hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, seeking justice for their son Sahil.
The parents are demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.
Sahil Wakode, 22, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18 after allegedly being caught using ChatGPT during an examination.
The family alleges that Sahil faced caste discrimination at IIT Bombay and says those responsible for his death should be punished.
Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch and a 10-member IIT Bombay committee are investigating the circumstances of the death.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, are protesting; Mumbai Police, IIT Bombay, and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale are involved in responses to the case.
- What
- The parents are holding a hunger strike and sit-in demanding justice, arrests, and accountability over Sahil’s death.
- When
- The hunger strike entered its second day on Tuesday; Sahil was found dead on September 18.
- Where
- The protest is taking place at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, while students are also protesting at IIT Bombay.
- Why
- The family alleges caste discrimination and seeks action against people they hold responsible for Sahil’s death.
Family and Student Demands
Institutional and Investigative Response
Responsibility and arrests
Family and Student Demands
Sahil’s parents allege caste discrimination and demand the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.
Institutional and Investigative Response
The allegations and the alleged abetment-to-suicide case remain under investigation; the articles do not report that either person has been found responsible.
Inquiry committee
Family and Student Demands
Protesting IIT Bombay students have demanded that the existing inquiry committee be reconstituted, alleging that some members supported Doolla.
Institutional and Investigative Response
IIT Bombay says it has formed a 10-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death.
Cause and circumstances of death
Family and Student Demands
The family focuses on alleged caste discrimination and seeks action against those they believe contributed to Sahil’s death.
Institutional and Investigative Response
Police are examining whether events followed an alleged cheating attempt involving ChatGPT, including a reported conversation in which Sahil regretted the incident.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year IIT Bombay student
- Date of death
- September 18
- Protest location
- Azad Maidan, south Mumbai
- Family’s demands
- Justice for Sahil, arrests, and punishment for those responsible
- Family’s allegation
- Sahil faced caste discrimination at IIT Bombay
- Police investigation
- The Crime Branch is examining CCTV and other evidence and questioning students, faculty members, and administrative staff
- IIT inquiry
- IIT Bombay formed a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death
- Faculty action
- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was sent on leave to facilitate an impartial probe
