Around 25 to 30 protesters were detained outside the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay campus in Powai on Wednesday after student organisations and activists demonstrated over the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode and demanded an external investigation into the circumstances surrounding it.
DCP (West Zone III) Datta Nalawade confirmed the detentions. He said protesters had requested a meeting with IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare, following which six representatives were taken to meet him. The remaining protesters were released shortly after the representatives left for the meeting.
The demonstration took place outside Gate No. 2 at around 12.30 p.m. Tejas Anoop, a student representative of Aamchi Padhai, Aamchi Ladai, alleged that police personnel used force during the detentions and that some protesters were injured. “They were forcefully trying to detain us. My waist is bruised. They were carrying us and throwing us around. I asked for some medical assistance, but I didn’t receive any,” he said.
The six-member delegation that met the director included Rahul Sonpimple, Deepali Salve, Tejas Anoop, Sambhaji Bhagat, Nitin More and Sunil Nirbhavane. It submitted a letter questioning the institute’s handling of Wakode’s death, its internal inquiry and allegations of caste-based discrimination. The delegation said it lacked confidence in the internal inquiry committee and sought an external investigation.
According to Mr. Anoop, the delegation also questioned why the institute’s administration had not met Wakode’s parents. He alleged that the director said, “I don’t see caste.” These claims could not be independently verified from the material available for this report.
The protesters raised concerns over the circulation of CCTV footage connected to the examination incident preceding Wakode’s death. They also questioned the institute’s initial focus on allegations of academic malpractice and alleged that Professor Suryanarayana Doolla had removed Wakode from an examination hall and threatened him with suspension before a disciplinary committee could examine the matter. These allegations were contained in the delegation’s letter and have not been established by an adjudicating authority.
The letter further criticised an initial public statement by IIT Bombay, alleging that it contributed to the public vilification of Wakode and his family. It questioned the impartiality of the institute’s internal inquiry after alleging that two committee members participated in a faculty march supporting Professor Doolla.
The delegation sought a clarification from IIT Bombay that the available evidence did not conclusively establish that Wakode had cheated. It also demanded action against those allegedly spreading unverified allegations and called for an apology from the director over his alleged endorsement of the faculty march.
Wakode, a second-year Energy Science and Engineering student, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during an examination. His parents later alleged that he had faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at the institute.
On the basis of a complaint filed by Wakode’s father, Ravindra Wakode, Powai police registered an FIR against Professor Doolla. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Wakode’s parents have also been protesting at Azad Maidan, seeking action against those they hold responsible for his death.
Advocate Nikhil Kamble, who represents Wakode’s parents, questioned why the Union Ministry of Education had not taken action against the IIT Bombay director. He compared the situation with the reported decision to place the director of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Ranchi, on leave after student protests. He also made an allegation about the IIT Bombay director’s connections with the Central Government but did not provide evidence for it.
The demands have received support from political leaders, activists and student organisations, including Dalit Panthers co-founder J. V. Pawar, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Sujaat Ambedkar, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, NCP (SP) leader Anish Gawande, the All India Students’ Association, the All India Students’ Federation and Chhatra Bharti. The Mumbai Crime Branch investigation and the institute’s response to the delegation’s demands remain the next key developments.
