50 days after Sahil Wakode's death at IIT Bombay, parents continue sit-in at Azad Maidan

Friday marked 50 days since the body of Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old student, was found on the IIT Bombay campus in Powai. His parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, are on a sit-in at Azad Maidan, seeking justice for their son.

In a video statement, Ravindra said, "It has been 50 days, but we have still received no information about the investigation." He had earlier got an FIR registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It alleges abetment of suicide and names the IIT Bombay director and Professor Dula.

Ravindra said the family now also wants to protest at IIT Bombay, as they want the complete CCTV footage from the day Sahil died. He also appealed to Chief Minister Fadnavis, who is also the Home Minister, to intervene. Ravindra said he plans to go to Nagpur on December 7, during the winter session of Parliament. The parents have earlier met Rahul Gandhi.

Meanwhile, according to IIT Bombay students, the director has emailed them to say that several steps are being taken for student wellbeing before the end-semester examinations. These include a system for redressal of student grievances and a review of the hostel mess and eateries. Open spaces will be created on the campus and standard procedures will be laid down for examinations.

According to the email, the institute is working with alumni and campus administration to bring in professional counsellors, build an IIT-B wellbeing app and offer students administrative help. Sensitisation workshops for faculty and staff are also proposed. Efforts are under way to strengthen the SC/ST cell and the gender cell. Students also said the institute is reviewing the structure of the Gymkhana, hostel facilities, common spaces and recreational facilities.

The director said the larger aim is to build a system that is accountable, thoughtful and sensitive to the needs of students and faculty.