IIT Bombay student's father stages protest at Azad Maidan, seeks action

Ravindra Wakode, father of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode who allegedly died by suicide 10 days ago, began a sit-in protest at Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Monday, demanding action against those responsible for his son's death.

Ravindra said he would continue his protest until Sahil gets justice and those responsible are punished.

Sahil's family has alleged that he was subjected to caste discrimination at the premier institute.

On Sunday, Ravindra had said he was ready to be arrested but would continue his fight for justice. “I do not care, even if I get arrested. My son should get justice constitutionally. This is the state of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar. I will start my sit-in protest at Azad Maidan. I will continue my fight for justice,” he said.

Sahil, 22, a second-year student at IIT Bombay, was found hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18. This happened hours after he was allegedly caught using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.

The alleged abetment to suicide case is being investigated by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

The family had earlier held a hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Thursday. Ravindra and his wife Sonali later announced that they would begin a sit-in protest at the venue from Monday.

IIT Bombay's board had earlier set up a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sahil's death.

Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, an IIT Bombay faculty member named in the police FIR alleging caste discrimination and abetment to suicide, has been sent on leave to ensure an impartial investigation.

IIT Bombay students organised a candlelight march on Friday night and demanded that the inquiry committee be reconstituted. They alleged that some members of the existing panel had expressed support for Doolla.

A section of students continued their peaceful sit-in protest on the campus on Sunday. The protest venue, called “Justice Corner”, has been hosting discussions about the case since Saturday.

Students' unions from other premier institutes have also expressed support for the Wakode family, calling for a transparent investigation and action against those responsible for Sahil's death.  (with inputs from PTI)