IIT BOMBAY POSTPONES MID-SEMESTER EXAMS AMID PROTESTS OVER STUDENT’S DEATH

September 24, 2026

MUMBAI: IIT Bombay has postponed its mid-semester examinations scheduled for September 26 and 27 to October 10 and 11 amid continuing protests following the death of 22-year-old BTech student Sahil Wakode. The institute said the examinations would follow the existing timetable on the rescheduled dates.

Wakode, a second-year student of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18. His parents have alleged that he faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at the institute. Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch is investigating the case, while faculty member Suryanarayan Doolla, who has been named in the FIR, has been sent on leave to facilitate the probe.

The institute has also reissued an apology for an earlier communication that had described circumstances preceding Wakode’s death, including an allegation that he had used ChatGPT during an examination. IIT Bombay said it was inappropriate to characterise details surrounding the death before they had been established through the investigation.

Meanwhile, Wakode’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali, began a hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan demanding action against those they allege were responsible for their son’s distress. They have also submitted a memorandum to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes seeking a speedy investigation