IIT Bombay Row: Sahil Wakode's parents begin hunger strike outside campus, Rahul Gandhi assures support

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the parents of the deceased days after IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode allegedly committed suicide. The leader assured them of all help in their fight to seek justice for their son.

Gandhi made a video call to Sahil’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, while they were travelling to Mumbai from Washim district, the sources told PTI. The conversation lasted nearly 17 minutes, during which Gandhi told the parents that he was with them and assured them of support.

Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib and the organisation’s Maharashtra unit chief Shivraj More were with Sahil’s parents when the call took place. The deceased’s parents have announced an indefinite hunger strike outside the IIT Bombay gate from 11 am today.

Sahil was found hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating his death. Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been named in the FIR alleging abetment to suicide on grounds of caste discrimination, has been sent on leave to facilitate an impartial probe.

Also read IIT Bombay students clarify protest was ‘not to justify cheating’, demand institutional reforms

CCTV findings

IIT Bombay has set up a 10-member committee to probe the circumstances surrounding Sahil Wakode’s alleged suicide. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is separately investigating the case and has urged people to avoid speculation. Faculty member Suryanarayan Doolla, named in the FIR, has been sent on leave.

CCTV footage from the examination hall showing Sahil’s movements before a professor approached him and led him out of the hall after he was allegedly caught copying went viral on social media.

The developments come days after IIT Bombay student representatives clarified that protests held following Sahil’s death were not intended to justify cheating or any other form of academic misconduct. They said the protests were instead aimed at highlighting systemic concerns and seeking institutional reforms.

(With PTI inputs)

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.