Parents of IIT Bombay student continue Mumbai hunger strike

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode continued their hunger strike in Mumbai on Tuesday, demanding action against those they hold responsible for his death, according to The Hindu. Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, were protesting at Azad Maidan with their son’s photograph. Their lawyer, Nikhil Kamble, said no government representative had approached the family.

Wakode, 22, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18. The second-year student had allegedly been caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination earlier that day. His parents have alleged caste discrimination at IIT Bombay.

They are demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been booked for alleged abetment to suicide, and IIT Bombay director Shireesh Kedare. The family has said the protest will continue until they believe justice has been secured and those responsible are punished. Ravindra Wakode told reporters that the hunger strike would continue until Doolla and Kedare were arrested.

IIT Bombay’s board has constituted a 10-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the death. Doolla, who was named in a police first information report alleging caste discrimination and abetment to suicide, has been sent on leave to facilitate an impartial inquiry. The Crime Branch is examining CCTV footage and other evidence and has questioned students, faculty members and administrative staff.

Police are reconstructing events after Wakode allegedly left the examination hall. The supplied material does not report any arrests or a completed investigation.