Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Sahil Wakode Case: Parents’ Hunger Strike Pressures IIT Bombay
Sahil Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
His parents say he had told them that he faced caste discrimination and mistreatment.
They began an indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai to demand justice and action against people they blame.
Police are investigating what happened during and after an examination.
News reports disagree about whether Sahil used ChatGPT, a mobile phone, or copied during the exam.
IIT Bombay apologised for describing the events before investigators had established the facts.
The institute also postponed its mid-semester examinations while the investigation continues.
Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, demanding arrests and justice.
The family alleges Sahil repeatedly faced caste discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay.
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating Sahil’s death and events surrounding an examination incident.
IIT Bombay apologised for earlier comments, said the circumstances remain under investigation, and deferred mid-semester exams.
CCTV reports and media accounts differ over whether the examination incident involved ChatGPT, a phone, or copying.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode’s parents, IIT Bombay, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, and protesting Congress and NSUI activists are involved.
- What
- Sahil’s parents began an indefinite hunger strike and demanded arrests, accountability, and a swift investigation into his death and alleged caste discrimination.
- When
- The hunger strike began on Thursday; Sahil was found dead on September 18, and exams scheduled for September 26–27 were moved to October 10–11.
- Where
- The hunger strike is taking place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, while related protests were held or planned outside IIT Bombay’s Powai campus.
- Why
- The family seeks action over alleged caste-based discrimination, harassment, and the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death.
Family and Supporters’ Claims
Institute and Investigation Position
Alleged caste discrimination
Family and Supporters’ Claims
Sahil’s parents and Congress leaders allege that he experienced repeated caste-based humiliation, harassment, and difficulties at IIT Bombay.
Institute and Investigation Position
IIT Bombay disputes the allegations of caste discrimination and harassment, while authorities continue investigating them.
Events before Sahil’s death
Family and Supporters’ Claims
The family and supporters want the examination incident and events afterward investigated, and seek action against people they say tormented Sahil.
Institute and Investigation Position
IIT Bombay said it was inappropriate to characterise events before they had been established through an investigation and apologised for its earlier communication.
Examination incident
Family and Supporters’ Claims
Family concerns and surfaced CCTV footage focus on what happened after Sahil was allegedly stopped and escorted from the examination hall.
Institute and Investigation Position
Accounts differ over whether the incident involved ChatGPT, a mobile phone, or copying; police have not publicly commented on the CCTV footage.
Arrests and responsibility
Family and Supporters’ Claims
The family and Congress supporters have sought arrests, including of Professor Suryanarayan Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.
Institute and Investigation Position
The Crime Branch investigation is ongoing, and no final determination of criminal responsibility or transfer of the case has been announced.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode was 22 and a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay.
- Death
- Sahil was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
- Protest
- His parents Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan.
- Investigation
- The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the death and surrounding events.
- Commission memorandum
- The parents submitted a memorandum to National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairperson Kishor Makwana seeking a speedy investigation.
- IIT Bombay response
- The institute apologised for earlier statements about the circumstances preceding Sahil’s death and said the details remain under investigation.
- Examinations
- Mid-semester examinations scheduled for September 26–27 were deferred to October 10–11.
- Faculty action
- Faculty member Suryanarayan Doolla was sent on leave after being named in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide on caste-discrimination grounds.
Sources
IIT Student Suicide Row: Parents Go on Hunger Strike, Mid-Sem Exams Deferred
Sahil Wakode's parents sit on hunger strike, IIT-B apologises again
Sahil Wakode’s parents begin indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai, demand action in IIT Bombay death case