Parents and Student Groups Demand Arrest of IIT Bombay Leaders Over Student Death

Activist groups and student bodies held a demonstration at Azad Maidan, demanding the arrest of two IIT Bombay figures accused of harassing student Sahil Wakode prior to his death on September 18. The family's protest reached its 15th day, with the father stating the agitation will carry on until authorities take action.

Demands And Legal Stance

The demonstrators called for measures against Suryanarayana Doolla, Professor of Energy Science and Engineering, and Institute Director Shireesh B. Kedare, alongside a clear investigation and better protection against caste bias. Ravindra Wakode, the father of the deceased student, stated his family planned to gather outside the campus at noon to mark one month since his son died, pending police permission. Family lawyer Siddharth Ingle pointed out that an FIR was filed at the Powai police station under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abetment of suicide, as well as sections of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, yet no arrests had occurred.

Official Inaction Concerns

Ingle noted that Section 108 carries a prison term of up to 10 years as a non-bailable offense, arguing that the Crime Branch ought to have taken the accused into custody for questioning. He also voiced fears over potential evidence tampering because Doolla remained on campus as a professor despite losing his administrative post. The legal counsel met Joint Commissioner of Police Kumbhare but obtained no clear answers regarding the six to seven hours of missing details surrounding the student's movements before his death, while appealing to Chief Minister Devendra Fadvanis to show sensitivity.

Activist Reactions

Student representatives criticised the institution's anti-discrimination guidelines for advising people not to ask about admission categories or entrance test scores, arguing that background and language still reveal caste. Speakers like Arya Wankhede, Pradhyuman Bele, Sandeep Khambe, and Dhanushree compared the incident to past student deaths, demanding the strict enforcement of the SC/ST Act and a dedicated legislative framework while warning that the movement will not relent.

Context

Incidents of student deaths at prominent higher education institutions frequently trigger intense public debate over campus safety and the implementation of anti-caste protection laws. Protests of this nature often highlight friction between student bodies demanding swift legal action and institutional authorities navigating ongoing police investigations.