Sahil Wakode's father seeks justice amid IIT-Bombay protests (Img: X)
Mumbai: The father of IIT-Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide on the institute campus, has sought justice for his son. He alleged that torture and caste discrimination pushed him towards the extreme step.
Ravindra Wakode has urged the government to take action against those he holds responsible, including terminating them from service. "I appeal for a thorough investigation into those who pushed him toward suicide through torture and caste discrimination. I urge the government to ensure justice for my child by terminating them from service..." Ravindra said.
The statement came after Powai police registered a case of abetment of suicide following a complaint filed by Sahil's parents. Police have also invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as family alleged that Sahil faced casteist remarks and harassment.
The case was transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch late Saturday, with an ACP-rank officer assigned to lead the investigation.
A senior IIT-Bombay professor, Suryanarayana Doolla, has been named in the FIR along with "other senior officials" and "other officials concerned".
Doolla was the invigilator during the examination in which Sahil was allegedly caught using a mobile phone.
Sahil, a second-year student in the energy science section, was found dead in his hostel room on Friday after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during an examination.
He had allegedly uploaded the exam question paper on an AI platform to seek answers. His parents and some students alleged that he was taken out of the examination hall and threatened with suspension.
IIT-Bombay, however, has maintained that no disciplinary action was initiated against Sahil. The institute said he was counselled and assured that the incident would not affect his academic career.
IIT-Bombay director Shireesh Kedare has also denied allegations of caste-based discrimination, saying caste-related information about students is kept confidential and is not available to faculty members or administrators.
The institute's SC/ST cell said it had not received any complaint from Sahil alleging caste discrimination.
In his statement forming part of the FIR, Ravindra said that Sahil had told him after entering his second year that he had faced harassment from Doolla for three months.
The family did not file a complaint with the institute at that time.
Ravindra and his wife Sonali had initially refused to claim their son's body from Rajawadi Hospital's post-mortem centre. His father had said he would not conduct the final rites until those responsible were arrested.
The family eventually claimed the body after police assured them that the investigation had been transferred to the Crime Branch.
Sahil's death has also triggered protests at IIT-Bombay, with students demanding action. The institute postponed the mid-semester examinations scheduled for Saturday amid the protests.
An IIT-Bombay spokesperson said police had registered a case and that the institute would fully cooperate with the authorities. The spokesperson also urged people not to speculate while the investigation is underway.
