Sahil Wakode’s parents continue hunger strike for second day in Mumbai; he says no one from the government has heard back

Sahil Wakode’s during a hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on September 28, 2026. | Photo credit: Emmanuel Yogini

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode on Tuesday (Sep 29, 2026) pressed for action against those responsible for his death, with their lawyer saying no government representative had approached them as their hunger strike in Mumbai entered its second day.

At the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, Sahil’s parents Ravindra and Sonali Wakode from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal sat on a makeshift stage holding his photograph with a message seeking justice for him. Several others joined them on the spot.

The family’s lawyer, Nikhil Kamble, said that they have not been approached by anyone from the government side yet.

Wakode, 22, a second-year student, was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after he was caught allegedly using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester exam at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai.

His parents alleged that their son was subjected to caste discrimination in the institution.

They are demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayan Doolla, accused of abetting suicide, and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.

The parents said they will continue to protest until their son gets justice and those responsible are punished.

The board of IIT Bombay had earlier formed a 10-member committee to probe the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death.

Prof. Doolla, a faculty member named in the police FIR alleging caste discrimination and incitement to commit suicide, has been sent on leave to allow an impartial investigation.

“Until Doolla and Kedare are arrested, the hunger strike will continue,” Mr Ravindra Wakode told reporters on Monday (September 28, 2026) evening.

He claimed to have spoken to the Deputy Commissioner of Police and promised to continue the fast as per the instructions of the police.

The crime branch is examining CCTV footage and other evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events on September 18. The police also questioned students, faculty members and administrative staff to find out what happened after Sahil allegedly left the examination hall.

Police officials had earlier said that before his death, Sahil had regretted the alleged cheating in the September 18 exam during a phone conversation with his girlfriend after he was caught.

Students protesting on campus demanded changes to the investigation process and raised concerns about student welfare and grievance redressal mechanisms.

Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad earlier met Mr. Ravindra Wakode at Azad Maidan and extended his support to the family.

(Those who are in distress or have suicidal thoughts can seek help on the numbers listed here)

Published – 29 Sep 2026 13:59 IST