IIT Bombay student’s parents begin hunger strike over suicide probe

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode began an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai's Azad Maidan on Monday, demanding an in-depth investigation into his death by suicide on September 18. Mumbai Police directed them to Azad Maidan after denying permission to protest outside the IIT campus, in line with High Court guidelines. The family had paused the protest over the weekend due to Ganpati visarjan, their lawyer said.

Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old Dalit second-year BTech student, died in his hostel room. His parents have filed an FIR against IIT Bombay faculty under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, alleging caste discrimination. The Hindu reports the institute initially said Sahil was caught cheating using AI during an exam but later apologised for characterising details before they were established. Crime branch is reconstructing the timeline from the exam centre to his hostel and analysing his phone.

IIT Bombay has constituted a 10-member inquiry committee and accepted 18 student demands including action against stakeholders, mental health measures, and an apology. The Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle has demanded an external independent investigation with SC/ST representation and 50% female members. Students from IIT Delhi have also expressed solidarity, calling for a fair probe into all campus suicides.