‘Those who tortured my son should be behind bars’: IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode's parents begin hunger strike

The parents of deceased IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode began a hunger strike in Mumbai on Thursday, demanding the arrest of those they allege had "tortured" their son and calling for a speedy investigation into his death.

Sahil's parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, launched the hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, days after the 22-year-old second-year BTech student was found hanging in his hostel room at IIT Bombay.

The parents have alleged that their son faced caste discrimination and harassment at the institute and are demanding action against those they hold responsible for his death.

"Those who tortured my son should be put behind bars. He had told us that he repeatedly faced caste discrimination at the institute," Ravindra said.

He appealed for support for the family's demand for arrests and questioned how his son, whom he described as a bright student with good opportunities ahead of him, could have taken such a step.

"Support us, we demand the arrest," he said, adding that he had spoken to officials of a commission who met the family and that an investigation was underway.

Ravindra said Sahil had been selected for ISRO and was scheduled to lead a 50-member team at a robotics and AI event. "Ask anyone; Sahil was a good young man. He was selected for ISRO... He was scheduled to lead a team of 50 people for a robot and AI event. He was a bright student. How could he do this?" he said.

Sahil's father demanded that the matter be heard in a fast-track court and called for strict action against those responsible.

"I didn't know that such things happen at such a renowned institute. I demand arrest and strict action against the culprits. Look at the number of suicides here," Ravindra said.

Sahil's mother, Sonali, also demanded action against two professors.

"I want justice for my son. I want action against Professor Kedare and Professor Doolla. That's all I want — justice," she said.

Before beginning their hunger strike, Sahil's parents met National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairman Kishor Makwana in Mumbai and submitted a memorandum seeking a speedy investigation into their son's death.

Makwana also conducted a detailed spot inquiry at IIT Bombay in connection with the case.

The inquiry came amid allegations by Sahil's family of caste-based discrimination and harassment and questions surrounding the circumstances preceding his death. The case is currently being investigated by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

During his visit, the NCSC chairman held an extensive inquiry with senior IIT Bombay authorities, including the director, deputy director, registrar, faculty members concerned and other officials.

The commission sought details about the sequence of events preceding Sahil's death, particularly an incident during the mid-semester examination on September 18, when he was alleged to have been involved in academic malpractice.

Meanwhile, IIT Bombay deferred its mid-semester examinations amid the controversy and reissued an apology over an earlier statement.