Police refused permission to protest against Sahil Wakode’s death

Ravindra Wakode, father of late IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, during the third day of his indefinite hunger strike demanding justice for his son at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on September 29, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

Ravindra Wakode, the father of Sahil Wakode, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Bombay) student who allegedly ended his life due to caste discrimination, was denied permission by Mumbai police to continue his protest at Azad Maidan. After the permission was denied, Mr. Wakode planned to visit the institute’s Powai campus, sources said.

On Thursday (October 1, 2026), the crime branch interrogated for 10 hours and recorded the statement of Professor Suryanarayan Doolla, against whom a First Information Report was filed on the complaint of Mr. Ravindra Wakode. Statements from 40 others, including Sahil Wakode’s parents and hostel staff, were also recorded. Police are checking the facility.

A group of students at IIT Bombay launched a protest on 2 October 2026 demanding accountability from the administration. Earlier, a couple from Wakode started a protest seeking justice for their son. They are demanding the arrest of Mr. Doolla and Shireesh Kedar, Director of IIT Bombay.

Sahil Wakode, 22, was a second year B. Tech student. program at IIT Bombay. He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was caught using his phone during an exam. His parents claim that he faced caste-based discrimination at the institution.

(Help to overcome suicidal thoughts is available on Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha Suicide Prevention Helpline 044-24640050)

Published – 3 Oct 2026 13:06 IST