Sahil Wakode death: father alleges caste taunts, seeks arrests; crime branch probing

The death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has taken a new turn. Sahil's father, Ravindra Wakode, held a press conference demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayan Dulla and IIT Bombay director Shirish Kedare. He said that a probe should be conducted based on the sections registered in the FIR and action taken against those responsible. The case is currently being investigated by the crime branch of the Mumbai police.

Ravindra Wakode has alleged that his son was being mentally harassed for some time and faced caste-based discrimination. He said, "My son was tortured a lot. Dulla and Kedare should be arrested." He also alleged that casteist remarks were made against Sahil and that he was threatened with being framed in false cases.

According to the father, he had gone to meet Sahil on September 13. He claims that Sahil told him at the time about the alleged harassment he was facing. The father has alleged that Sahil was provoked with remarks such as "I am upper caste and you are lower caste."

IIT Bombay has previously responded to these allegations. The institute had said that Sahil had not filed any complaint regarding caste-based harassment with the SC-ST cell or the administration. The truth of these allegations will only become clear after investigation.

IIT Bombay had claimed that during an examination on September 18, Sahil used his mobile phone and used ChatGPT to find answers to questions. He was then reportedly asked to leave the examination hall, as seen in CCTV footage, according to reports. This footage has now become an important part of the investigation. IIT Bombay later clarified some aspects of its initial statement, saying the entire matter is under investigation. Professor Dulla has been removed from the post of dean, though he continues to work as a professor.

Sahil's father has also questioned the claim that his son was copying. He has demanded that the CCTV footage from the examination hall be made public to clarify what actually happened.

Meanwhile, following a complaint by Sahil's father, a case has reportedly been registered against Professor Dulla under charges of abetment to suicide along with the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The crime branch is investigating the matter, and the final outcome on the allegations will only emerge once the investigation is complete.