A STUDENT'S DEATH, ALLEGATIONS OF CASTE DISCRIMINATION AND A FAMILY'S FIGHT FOR JUSTICE: SAHIL WAKODE'S PARENTS SEEK INDEPENDENT PROBE
October 31, 2026
MUMBAI, OCTOBER 31, 2026 — The parents of Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old second-year engineering student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay who died by suicide on September 18, have approached the Bombay High Court seeking an independent investigation by either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The family has alleged that their son experienced caste-based humiliation and harassment at the prestigious engineering institution and has questioned the seriousness with which the police have investigated the circumstances surrounding his death.
The petition, filed by Ravindra and Sonali Wakode through their advocate Hitendra Gandhi, is expected to be mentioned before the Bombay High Court on Monday. The family has requested judicial intervention, arguing that the existing investigation has failed to address the allegations adequately. They have also sought supervision of the investigation by a retired judge to ensure independence, transparency and accountability in the examination of the circumstances leading to Sahil's death.
FAMILY ALLEGES CASTE-BASED HUMILIATION AT IIT BOMBAY
According to the petition, Sahil allegedly faced caste-based humiliation involving members of the institute's faculty and an examination invigilator. His parents have maintained that the discrimination contributed to the circumstances preceding his death.
One of the allegations concerns Sahil's desire to display a portrait of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in his hostel room after receiving accommodation at IIT Bombay. According to the petition, his roommates advised him against displaying the portrait, warning that doing so could expose him to caste-based discrimination.
When Sahil informed his parents about the situation, they too reportedly advised him against displaying the photograph to avoid possible conflict. The incident has become part of the family's account of the difficulties they allege their son experienced within the institution.
The petition further alleges that Professor Suryanarayana Doolla made casteist remarks against Sahil. Doolla was also reportedly the invigilator during the examination held on September 18, the day Sahil died.
These allegations have become central to the family's demand for an independent investigation. They are seeking a comprehensive examination of the alleged discrimination, the interactions between Sahil and the concerned faculty members, and the events immediately preceding his death.
QUESTIONS OVER THE POLICE INVESTIGATION
The Wakode family has expressed dissatisfaction with the police investigation, alleging that the authorities have not examined the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Following the family's complaint, Powai police registered a case involving abetment of suicide and other offences. However, the parents have argued that the investigation requires independent oversight because of the seriousness of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding their son's death.
Their petition seeks the transfer of the investigation to the CBI or the constitution of an SIT capable of conducting an impartial examination of the case.
The request for judicial monitoring by a retired judge reflects the family's concern that the investigation should not be confined to the existing police inquiry. They want the circumstances surrounding Sahil's alleged experiences of caste discrimination to be examined alongside the sequence of events on the day of his death.
DEMAND TO PRESERVE CCTV FOOTAGE AND PROTECT WITNESSES
An important component of the petition concerns the preservation of potential evidence from the IIT Bombay campus.
The parents have requested directions to the institute to secure all CCTV footage relating to the day of the incident. They have also sought safeguards to ensure that students, faculty members and other individuals who may have witnessed relevant events are not influenced or pressured.
The family considers the preservation of electronic evidence and the independent examination of witnesses essential to establishing an accurate account of what happened.
CCTV recordings could potentially assist investigators in reconstructing the movement of individuals and the sequence of events surrounding the incident. Similarly, statements from students and faculty members may help establish whether Sahil experienced harassment or discrimination and whether any relevant interactions occurred before his death.
The family's request places the preservation of evidence and protection of potential witnesses among the central issues requiring judicial consideration.
A WIDER QUESTION OF CASTE DISCRIMINATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION
The case has brought renewed attention to allegations of caste-based discrimination within India's premier educational institutions. Universities and engineering institutes are expected to provide students with an academic environment in which educational opportunities, dignity and equal treatment are protected irrespective of caste or social background.
Allegations involving discrimination within higher educational institutions raise questions about the effectiveness of existing grievance mechanisms, institutional accountability and the protection available to students who experience harassment.
The Wakode family's allegations require independent examination, and the responsibility for determining the facts rests with the appropriate investigative and judicial authorities. The allegations against the concerned individuals should not be treated as established findings before the investigation and legal proceedings are completed.
Nevertheless, the family's decision to approach the Bombay High Court has brought the question of institutional accountability back into public discussion.
JUDICIAL INTERVENTION SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH THE FACTS
The forthcoming proceedings before the Bombay High Court will provide an opportunity for the family to place its concerns before the judiciary and seek directions concerning the investigation.
Their principal demands are an independent CBI or SIT investigation, monitoring by a retired judge, preservation of CCTV footage and protection of individuals who may possess relevant information.
For Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, the legal action represents an effort to obtain answers about the circumstances surrounding their son's death and ensure that the allegations of caste-based harassment receive proper investigation.
The case also raises a broader institutional question concerning the responsibility of educational establishments to ensure that students can pursue their education without discrimination, humiliation or intimidation.
The central issue now is whether an independent and comprehensive investigation can establish what happened to Sahil Wakode, examine the allegations raised by his parents and determine whether any individuals or institutional failures contributed to the circumstances preceding his death.
