New twist in IIT Bombay student suicide case
The tragic death of Sahil Wakode, a BTech student at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, has once again brought the internal environment of top educational institutions under intense scrutiny. Sahil, a 22-year-old second-year student in the Energy Science and Engineering Department, was found dead in his hostel room following an incident during examinations, sending shockwaves across the academic community.
While the institute initially claimed that Sahil was caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination, his grieving parents have completely rejected the narrative of a simple exam-related pressure. Instead, they have come forward with serious allegations of institutional pressure, mental harassment, and caste-based discrimination that allegedly drove their young son to take his own life.
Parents demand immediate arrest of top officials
In heartbreaking media interactions, Sahil's father, Ravindra Wakode, openly named institute officials, demanding immediate legal action. He specifically accused Professor Suryanarayana Dulla and Director Shirish Kedare of pushing his son to the brink through targeted harassment.
Mr. Wakode stated:
"Shirish Kedare and Dulla tortured my son. I demand their immediate arrest. The Crime Branch is investigating the matter and everything is recorded in the FIR. This is not a suicide, this is institutional failure, and we want justice." — Ravindra Wakode, Father
Mother's emotional appeal over alleged discrimination
Sahil's mother, Sonali Wakode, expressed deep anguish, recalling how her son had previously confided in her about the discrimination he was facing on campus. She admitted that as parents, their primary instinct was to advise him to endure the hardships for the sake of his bright future.
She tearfully remarked, "Our biggest mistake was telling him to adjust when he told us about the harassment. We believed getting admission into an IIT was a huge deal and things would get better. We never imagined it would escalate to this extent. Those responsible must face strict action."
Ongoing Crime Branch investigation
The Mumbai Crime Branch is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Sahil's death on September 18. The probe includes examining examination hall protocols, CCTV footage, and the sequence of events that unfolded in the hours leading up to the tragic incident. Meanwhile, polarization within the campus has intensified as faculty bodies defend administrative procedures while student groups rally for accountability and systemic reforms.
