Full Breakdown
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay Student Suicide Triggers Caste-Discrimination Allegations and Campus Unrest
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 18, 2022, second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode was found hanging in his hostel room at IIT Bombay. Earlier that day he was escorted out of an exam hall by invigilator Professor Suryanarayana Doolla for allegedly using a mobile phone to access an AI platform. The family alleges caste-based harassment and has filed a FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the abetment-to-suicide provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Background & Context
The institute’s messaging platform prohibited casteist, sexist or hateful communications. Anti-discrimination guidelines had been issued twice during Wakode’s tenure.
Timeline
- Sept 13 – Parents last visited campus.
- Sept 18 – Exam-hall incident and suicide.
- Sept 19 – Case transferred to Mumbai Crime Branch.
- Sept 21 – IIT Bombay reposted an apology for premature statements.
- Sept 24 – Parents began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan; Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad and NSUI workers were detained.
- Oct 10-11 – Rescheduled mid-semester exams.
Data & Statistics
- 10-member committee headed by Prof Ramesh Venkateswaran (IIT-Palakkad).
- CCTV shows Wakode in the hall between 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm, bending to look at his pocket.
- FIR names Professor Doolla and Director Shireesh Kedare under the SC/ST Act and abetment provisions.
Official Statements & Responses
The institute removed Professor Doolla from his dean position and placed him on leave pending inquiry. The Crime Branch has taken custody of CCTV recordings from the exam hall, corridors and hostel, and is reconstructing Wakode’s movements. IIT Bombay announced a review of disciplinary procedures, including a draft SOP for invigilators and printing exam-malpractice rules on answer-sheet covers.
Criticism & Opposition
Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad called the death “institutional murder” and demanded a “comprehensive probe.” Rahul Gandhi video-called the parents, offering assistance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Cheating allegation – IIT Bombay first claimed Wakode uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT, later retracted the claim as unverified.
- Caste-discrimination claim – Family alleges repeated casteist remarks; the institute says no formal complaint was lodged with its SC/ST cell.
- CCTV interpretation – Shows Wakode looking at his pocket but does not confirm phone use.
- Phone forensic analysis – Police have been unable to access data from Wakode’s locked iPhone.
Why It Matters / Impact
The case highlights concerns about caste bias in elite Indian institutions and mental-health pressures on high-performing students. It has prompted student demands for greater representation in disciplinary bodies, transparent SOPs for exam misconduct, and enhanced counselling services. IIT Bombay is also reviewing hostel arrangements and fan installations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In view of the ongoing investigation, it was inappropriate to have set out or characterised details relating to the events preceding his demise before they had been duly established through the appropriate investigative process,” — IIT Bombay, professor
- “This is not the first such incident at IIT. We want accountability,” — Varsha Gaikwad
- “Those who tortured my son should be put behind bars.” — IIT Bombay later
What’s Next
The 10-member committee is expected to submit its findings within a week of September 24. Mid-semester examinations will be held on October 10-11. The Crime Branch continues to examine CCTV footage and the locked iPhone, while the parents’ hunger strike remains ongoing.