Archive · 24 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Panel Nears Report Amid Protests Over Student Death
Students at IIT Bombay are protesting after the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode.
Some students are staying on campus to demand a fair investigation.
Groups outside the campus are also asking for justice.
IIT Bombay created a committee to examine concerns, and it is expected to report within a week.
The committee includes teachers, students, an administrator, a former vigilance officer and a psychiatrist.
Wakode’s family says he faced caste-based harassment, but this allegation has not been proven.
Mumbai Police’s crime branch is investigating what happened, including an examination before his death.
Students also want better complaint-handling systems and mental-health support.
The institute has changed the examination schedule, with exams due to begin on September 25.
IIT Bombay students continued a sit-in while outside groups protested over Sahil Wakode’s death.
An institute panel led by Ramesh Venkateswaran is expected to submit its report within a week.
Students are demanding an independent inquiry, improved grievance procedures and stronger mental-health support.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was placed on leave and removed as Dean of Administrative Affairs, but students want further action.
Mumbai Police’s crime branch is investigating allegations of caste-based harassment and events surrounding an examination before Wakode’s death.
- Who
- IIT Bombay students, Wakode’s family, protest groups, institute officials and the Mumbai Police crime branch are involved; Sahil Wakode was the deceased student.
- What
- Protests and demands for an independent investigation and institutional changes continue after Wakode’s death, while an IIT Bombay panel prepares a report.
- When
- Protests continued on Wednesday; the panel’s report is expected within a week, and revised mid-semester exams are scheduled to begin on September 25.
- Where
- IIT Bombay’s Powai campus in Mumbai, including demonstrations outside the campus.
- Why
- Students and Wakode’s family are seeking accountability and a fair probe amid allegations of caste-based harassment and concerns about campus support systems.
Protesters and Student Demands
Inquiry Before Further Action
Action against Professor Doolla
Protesters and Student Demands
Some students want Professor Suryanarayana Doolla stripped of his professorship and say they will continue protesting until then.
Inquiry Before Further Action
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad says action should follow a thorough inquiry and that responsibility should not be assigned before facts are established.
Characterization of Wakode’s death
Protesters and Student Demands
At a “Justice for Sahil” demonstration, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Sujaat Ambedkar described the death as “institutional murder.”
Inquiry Before Further Action
The circumstances of Wakode’s death remain under investigation, and the allegation has not been established.
Nature of the investigation
Protesters and Student Demands
Students are demanding an independent probe and stronger grievance and mental-health systems through their 18-point charter.
Inquiry Before Further Action
IIT Bombay has established a committee containing faculty, students, an administrator, a former vigilance officer and a psychiatrist, while the Mumbai Police crime branch is conducting its own investigation.
- Panel deadline
- The IIT Bombay inquiry panel is expected to submit its report within a week.
- Panel chair
- Ramesh Venkateswaran, chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Palakkad, heads the committee.
- Student demands
- The 18-point charter includes an independent inquiry, grievance-redressal changes and stronger mental-health services.
- Action against Doolla
- Suryanarayana Doolla was relieved as Dean of Administrative Affairs and sent on week-long leave.
- Police investigation
- The Mumbai Police crime branch is investigating the death, including events surrounding an examination before it.
- Family allegation
- Wakode’s family has alleged caste-based harassment; the allegation remains under investigation.
- Exam schedule
- Cancelled mid-semester examinations were rescheduled to begin on September 25.
