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Sahil’s father also dismissed allegations that his son was cheated during a mid-semester examination.
Sahil Wakode (22), a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging in his hostel room on the Powai campus on September 18. (Photo: X)
The father of IIT-Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who was found dead in his hostel room last week, has alleged that his son was subjected to harassment because he belonged to a Scheduled Caste.
Sahil’s father, Ravindra Wakode, also rejected allegations that his son had cheated during a mid-semester examination, saying the claims should be backed by evidence.
“I had explained to him that he had got admission to IIT and told him to focus on his studies when he told me about these incidents. That was my fault. The investigation should be completed and the accused should be arrested. Action should be taken. They should give evidence and prove the cheating allegations,” Ravindra said.
He also questioned the institute’s statements surrounding the incident and alleged that his son had faced caste-based discrimination.
“It is suspicious that IIT-Bombay has changed its statement. ‘I am of a higher caste and you are of a lower caste’ — he was tortured this way. Sahil should be given justice. Action should be taken under the sections mentioned in the FIR, and against the accused. Doolla and the director Shireesh Kedare should also face action. He was tortured. I trust the Crime Branch,” he said.
Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging in his hostel room on the Powai campus on September 18 evening, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
The incident triggered protests by students and political activists. A case relating to abetment and caste discrimination was subsequently registered against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.
The institute on Monday removed Doolla from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs following the protests.
However, sources said the Crime Branch’s preliminary investigation has so far found no evidence against Doolla. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations made by Sahil’s family have not been established.
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Ask News18Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18, 2026, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
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Saurabh Verma is a Deputy News Editor at News18.com, specialising in Indian politics and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking election strategies, he decodes domestic issues for mil…Read More
September 22, 2026, 17:55 IST
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