4 hrs ago
Sahil Wakode’s Parents Continue Hunger Strike, Seek IIT Bombay Justice
Sahil Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
His family says he faced caste-based abuse and wants two institute officials arrested.
They have been protesting by refusing to eat for three days.
The police have questioned 40 people about what happened.
They have not yet questioned Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, according to the report.
Police are checking Sahil’s phones, laptop and tablet for evidence.
The family says it will continue protesting while seeking justice through lawful means.
Sahil Wakode’s parents entered the third day of a hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, demanding arrests in connection with his death.
The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from 40 people, but Professor Suryanarayana Doolla’s statement has not yet been recorded.
Police sent Wakode’s two phones, laptop and tablet to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina for examination.
Wakode, 22, was found hanging in his IIT Bombay hostel room on September 18 after allegedly being caught using ChatGPT during an examination.
His family alleges caste discrimination and seeks a fair, impartial and expedited investigation into the roles of Professor Doolla and Director Shireesh B Kedare.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode’s parents, Mumbai Crime Branch investigators, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh B Kedare are central to the report.
- What
- Wakode’s parents are continuing a hunger strike and demanding arrests, while police investigate his alleged suicide.
- Where
- The protest is taking place at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, while the case concerns IIT Bombay and Wakode’s hostel room.
- When
- The hunger strike entered its third day on September 30; Wakode was found dead on September 18.
- Why
- The family alleges caste discrimination and seeks accountability, a fair investigation and punishment for anyone found responsible.
Family’s allegations and demands
Police investigation and due process
Responsibility for Wakode’s death
Family’s allegations and demands
The family alleges that Professor Doolla subjected Wakode to casteist abuse, allegedly at the direction of IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare, and demands their arrest.
Police investigation and due process
Police have registered a case against Professor Doolla for alleged abetment of suicide and are examining statements, CCTV footage and other evidence before determining responsibility.
Progress of the investigation
Family’s allegations and demands
The family’s lawyer says the government has not responded to their demands and is calling for a fair, impartial and expedited investigation.
Police investigation and due process
The Mumbai Crime Branch says it has recorded 40 statements and sent Wakode’s electronic devices for forensic examination, although Doolla’s statement has not yet been recorded.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay
- Protest duration
- The parents’ hunger strike had entered its third day
- Police investigation
- Statements from 40 people had been recorded
- Unrecorded statement
- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla had not yet been questioned
- Digital evidence
- Two mobile phones, a laptop and a tablet were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina
- Date of death
- Wakode was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18
- Family’s demand
- Arrest of Professor Doolla and Director Shireesh B Kedare, along with a fair and expedited investigation
Quotes
Ravindra Wakode
Father of Sahil Wakode and a participant in the hunger strike
“Until both the professors are arrested, our hunger strike will continue.”
theprint.in
Sources
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