Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Father Protests At Azad Maidan, Demands IIT Bombay Arrests
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 phone to access ChatGPT during an exam.
His family says he faced caste-based harassment and wants the circumstances of his death fully investigated.
Sahil’s father, Ravindra Wakode, is protesting and fasting at Azad Maidan in Mumbai.
He wants Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and Director Shireesh Kedare arrested.
Police are examining CCTV footage, phone calls, and statements from students and staff.
IIT Bombay has formed a 10-member inquiry committee, but some students want the panel changed.
Doolla has been sent on leave or removed from an administrative role while the investigation continues.
Ravindra Wakode began or continued a hunger-strike protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan seeking justice for his son, Sahil.
Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year IIT Bombay student, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18.
He was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination shortly before his death.
Sahil’s family alleges caste discrimination and abetment to suicide, while the Mumbai Police Crime Branch investigates the claims.
Wakode is demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and Director Shireesh Kedare; students are also seeking a reconstituted, transparent inquiry.
- Who
- Ravindra Wakode is protesting over the death of his son, Sahil Wakode; the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, IIT Bombay, institute officials, and student groups are involved.
- What
- Wakode is conducting a sit-in and hunger strike, demanding justice and the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and Director Shireesh Kedare.
- When
- Sahil was found dead on September 18; Wakode began the Azad Maidan protest on Monday, with reports differing on whether it was the start or tenth day of the protest.
- Where
- The protest is at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, while Sahil was found in his IIT Bombay hostel room.
- Why
- The family alleges caste discrimination and abetment to suicide and wants investigators to determine what led to Sahil’s death.
Family And Student Critics
Institutional And Investigative Process
Cause of Sahil’s death
Family And Student Critics
Sahil’s family and supporters say the case must examine alleged caste harassment, abetment to suicide, and what drove him to take his life—not only the alleged examination misconduct.
Institutional And Investigative Process
Police are examining the sequence of events after Sahil allegedly left the examination hall, including CCTV recordings, phone calls, technical evidence, and witness statements.
Arrest demands
Family And Student Critics
Ravindra Wakode demands the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and Director Shireesh Kedare and says his hunger strike will continue until then.
Institutional And Investigative Process
The allegations against the officials remain under investigation; reports say police were still scrutinising evidence and had not yet recorded Doolla’s statement.
Inquiry committee
Family And Student Critics
Students allege that some members of IIT Bombay’s 10-member panel supported Doolla and want the committee reconstituted for a transparent investigation.
Institutional And Investigative Process
IIT Bombay established the committee and placed Doolla on leave or removed him from an administrative role to facilitate an impartial probe.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year IIT Bombay student
- Date of death
- September 18
- Protest location
- Azad Maidan, Mumbai
- Police investigation
- The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is examining alleged abetment to suicide, CCTV footage, phone calls, and witness statements
- Family’s demand
- Arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare
- Institute inquiry
- IIT Bombay constituted a 10-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death
- Action involving Doolla
- Doolla was named in the police FIR and sent on leave or removed from an administrative position pending investigation
- Student response
- Students held a candlelight march, maintained a campus protest site, and demanded reconstitution of the inquiry committee
Sources
IIT Bombay suicide: Sahil Wakode’s father stages protest for arrest of institute director and professor
Sahil Wakode’s Father Continues Hunger Strike At Azad Maidan, Demands Arrest Of IIT Bombay Officials
IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode’s Father Begins Sit-In At Azad Maidan, Demands Justice And Action Over Son’s Death | Video
