Sahil Wakode’s Parents Allege Caste Harassment at IIT Bombay

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide on September 18, have told investigators that their son had spoken to them about alleged caste-based remarks and harassment on campus days before his death.

Ravindra and Sonali Wakode visited Mumbai on Tuesday to record their statements with the Mumbai Crime Branch, which is investigating the circumstances surrounding their son's death. They said Sahil had discussed the alleged treatment with them when they met him on September 13.

CASE SNAPSHOT
September 18 — Sahil Wakode died
September 13 — Parents say Sahil told them about alleged casteist remarks
Mumbai Crime Branch — Investigating the case
FIR registered — Includes abetment-to-suicide and SC/ST Act provisions

Sahil was a second-year BTech student in IIT Bombay's Department of Energy Science and Engineering. His parents said his first year at the institute had gone smoothly but alleged that he began facing caste-based discrimination during his second year. These allegations are part of the family's account and have not been established by the investigation or a court.

His parents said they had advised Sahil at the time to ignore the alleged remarks and concentrate on his studies. They now regret that response, saying they wish they had taken his concerns more seriously.

An FIR was registered following a complaint by Sahil's father, naming Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and unidentified others. The case includes Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerning abetment of suicide and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch.

IIT Bombay has denied the allegation that Sahil had previously submitted a complaint of caste discrimination, saying no such complaint had been made to either its SC-ST Cell or the institute administration.

Another key part of the investigation concerns what happened during a mid-semester examination on September 18. Sahil was allegedly found using his mobile phone during the exam. Investigators have obtained CCTV footage and are recording statements from students who were present to establish exactly what was said and what occurred between Sahil and Professor Doolla.

WHAT CRIME BRANCH IS EXAMINING
Exam-hall CCTV — Sequence of events before Sahil left the examination
Student statements — What was said during the interaction
Phone data — Sent for forensic examination
Previous interactions — Whether Sahil and the professor had interacted earlier
Family allegations — Claims of caste-based harassment

According to sources cited by The Indian Express, CCTV footage shows an interaction between Sahil and the professor shortly before the examination was due to end. Investigators are asking students present in the room to recount the conversation and are also seeking IIT Bombay's rules for dealing with alleged academic misconduct to compare them with the actions taken that day.

The allegation that Sahil had been caught cheating has also been disputed by his father, who has said the circumstances should be established through the police investigation rather than assumed. IIT Bombay, meanwhile, withdrew an earlier detailed characterisation of events preceding Sahil's death, saying those circumstances should be established through the appropriate investigative process.

Professor Doolla has been removed from his administrative position as dean but remains a faculty member. Faculty groups at IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi have publicly supported him and argued that conclusions should not be reached before the investigation is completed.

Student representatives have similarly said that their call to relieve Doolla of administrative responsibilities during the investigation should not be interpreted as presuming his guilt, while continuing to seek transparency and broader institutional reforms concerning student welfare and grievance mechanisms.

Sahil's parents have demanded action against those they hold responsible and have called for arrests. Their allegations, IIT Bombay's response and accounts surrounding the examination are now subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation, and responsibility for Sahil's death has not been judicially established.