IIT Bombay Sahil Wakode Row: Parents Begin Hunger Strike Outside Campus, Rahul Gandhi Assures Support
Maharashtra: The dispute surrounding the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has entered a new phase as his parents began an indefinite hunger strike outside the institute on Thursday, September 24. The development comes as the Mumbai Police Crime Branch investigates the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death and IIT Bombay examines the matter through a 10-member committee.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also spoke with Wakode’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, by video call, assuring them of support in their efforts to seek justice for their son, according to party sources cited by PTI. The call lasted nearly 17 minutes.
Sahil Wakode Parents Begin Hunger Strike at IIT Bombay Campus
The parents of Sahil Wakode announced an indefinite hunger strike outside the IIT Bombay gate from 11 am on September 24. They have been demanding action in connection with allegations surrounding their son’s death and have sought the arrest of those named in the case.
The hunger strike follows a tumultuous week for the family, as they reported being taken from Mumbai to the Washim district in a private vehicle, despite their intention to remain in Mumbai for the protest. Their lawyer alleged that people in plain clothes had asked them to change vehicles. Mumbai Police, meanwhile, deny that the family was forcibly removed, saying the parents had indicated that they wanted to return to Yavatmal. The conflicting accounts remain part of the wider dispute and should be distinguished from established findings of the investigation.
Rahul Gandhi Speaks to Sahil Wakode’s Family
While returning from Washim district towards Mumbai, the parents of Sahil received a video call from Rahul Gandhi, according to reports from PTI. Gandhi spoke for nearly 17 minutes, telling the parents that he was with them and assuring them of help in their efforts to seek justice. Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib and Maharashtra unit chief Shivraj More were also present when the parents received the call, according to party sources.
The development has added a political dimension to a case that has been investigated by law enforcement. However, Gandhi’s comments are not a finding on the allegations, which are being investigated.
What Happened to Sahil Wakode?
Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, died on September 18, 2026. It was reported that he was found in his hostel room after an incident during a mid-semester examination, in which he was allegedly found using a mobile phone. IIT Bombay initially issued a statement describing the circumstances of the examination. The institute apologised for its earlier communication, stating that the details surrounding Wakode's death were subject to investigation and it had been inappropriate to characterise events before they were established through the proper investigative process.
Wakode's parents have also alleged that their son faced caste-based harassment. These allegations are also being disputed and are part of the investigation. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has urged the public and media to avoid speculating or concluding.
IIT Bombay Forms 10-Member Probe Panel
IIT Bombay’s Board of Governors has formed a 10-member committee to look into the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death. The committee is headed by Dr Ramesh Venkateswaran, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Palakkad, and includes three student representatives, according to the Indian Express report. Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been accused in an FIR of abetment to suicide on the grounds of caste discrimination, has been placed on leave to facilitate an impartial investigation, according to reports.
The allegation has not been substantiated by the investigation. For students, also, the case has raised broader questions in regards to examination procedures, institutional grievance mechanisms, student welfare and the importance of allowing investigations to establish facts before conclusions are drawn.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
As of September 24, the investigation by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch and the internal investigations by IIT Bombay are both ongoing. The parents’ protest and Rahul Gandhi assuring the family support are among the latest developments, but they do not resolve the competing claims surrounding the circumstances of Wakode’s death. The investigation, therefore, remains central to determining what happened and any legal consequences that could follow.
FAQs
1. Who was Sahil Wakode?
Sahil Wakode was a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay who died on September 18, 2026. The circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch and an IIT Bombay committee.
2. When did Sahil Wakode's parents begin their hunger strike?
Sahil Wakode's parents, Ravindra Wakode and Sonali Wakode, began an indefinite hunger strike outside the IIT Bombay campus on September 24, 2026, according to reports.
3. Why are Sahil Wakode's parents on hunger strike?
The parents are seeking action and justice in connection with their son's death. They have raised allegations concerning the circumstances preceding his death, including claims of caste-based harassment. These allegations remain subject to investigation.
4. What support did Rahul Gandhi offer Sahil Wakode's parents?
Rahul Gandhi spoke with Sahil Wakode's parents through a video call and, according to reports citing party sources, assured them of support in their efforts to seek justice. The reported call lasted around 17 minutes.
5. When did Sahil Wakode die?
Sahil Wakode died on September 18, 2026. Reports said the second-year BTech student was found in his hostel room following an incident connected with a mid-semester examination.
6. What happened during Sahil Wakode's examination?
According to the initial IIT Bombay communication, Wakode had allegedly been found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination. The institute later apologised for its earlier communication and said the circumstances surrounding his death were still under investigation.
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