Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Rahul Gandhi Assures Support to Sahil Wakode’s Parents
Rahul Gandhi spoke with Sahil Wakode’s parents and said he would help them seek justice.
Sahil was an IIT Bombay student who was found dead in his hostel room.
His parents have made allegations against people connected with the institute.
They say caste discrimination and other actions should be investigated.
They plan to hold an indefinite hunger strike outside IIT Bombay.
Police are investigating the death and say they are considering every possible explanation.
A professor named in the case has been placed on leave.
IIT Bombay later apologized for describing the exam incident as cheating before the facts were confirmed.
Rahul Gandhi held a nearly 17-minute video call with Sahil Wakode’s parents and promised support in their pursuit of justice.
Sahil’s parents announced an indefinite hunger strike outside the IIT Bombay gate beginning Thursday at 11 a.m.
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating Sahil’s death and says all possible angles are being examined impartially.
Faculty member Suryanarayana Doolla was named in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide and caste discrimination and was sent on leave.
IIT Bombay withdrew and apologized for earlier comments about alleged exam cheating before investigators established the circumstances.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi spoke with Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, the parents of deceased IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode.
- What
- Gandhi promised support while police investigate Sahil’s death and allegations involving IIT Bombay officials.
- When
- The call took place on Thursday; Sahil was found dead on the evening of September 18.
- Where
- The call occurred while Sahil’s parents traveled from Washim district to Mumbai; Sahil was found in a hostel room at IIT Bombay’s Powai campus.
- Why
- Gandhi said he would support the family’s pursuit of justice for Sahil.
Family’s Allegations and Demands
Police and Institution’s Position
Responsibility for Sahil’s death
Family’s Allegations and Demands
Sahil’s parents allege abetment to suicide and caste discrimination and have demanded action against named officials, including Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and, according to one report, Director Shirish Kedare.
Police and Institution’s Position
Police say the investigation is impartial and is examining all possible angles; responsibility has not been established.
What happened during the exam
Family’s Allegations and Demands
The family questioned IIT Bombay’s earlier description of the incident as cheating, especially after the institute withdrew the statement and apologized.
Police and Institution’s Position
Reports say Sahil was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT, and CCTV showed a professor leading him from the examination hall; IIT Bombay said the details had not been duly established.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode was a second-year B.Tech student in Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay; reports identify him as 20, while an image caption identifies him as 22.
- Call
- Rahul Gandhi made an almost 17-minute video call to Sahil’s parents while they were traveling to Mumbai.
- Investigation
- The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the death, with an ACP-rank officer assigned to the case.
- Case number
- Police identified the transferred case as DCB CID C.R. No. 124/2026.
- Faculty member
- Suryanarayana Doolla was named in the FIR and sent on leave during the investigation.
- Family action
- Sahil’s parents announced an indefinite hunger strike outside the IIT Bombay gate from 11 a.m. Thursday.
- Institute statement
- IIT Bombay withdrew and apologized for earlier comments characterizing the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the exam incident.
