CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Mumbai. Tension escalated on Sunday, 18 October, amid continuing protests demanding justice and a fair investigation into the death of Sahil Wakode, a student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. Mumbai Police detained several students and activists protesting outside the institute and near the main entrance to the campus. Sahil’s parents had also arrived to pay tribute to their son and raise their demand for justice.
The protest has been continuing for a month. Sahil Wakode was a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay. Since his death on 18 September 2026, students and various organisations have been holding demonstrations on the campus. The students are demanding an independent and impartial investigation, institutional accountability, and action on issues related to student safety and mental health.
Sahil’s parents have alleged caste discrimination. They have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and mental harassment. They have demanded an inquiry into the role of those concerned, including Professor Suryanarayan Dulla, and that accountability be fixed. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the case on the basis of the FIR registered in the matter. IIT Bombay, responding to the allegations of caste discrimination, has said it did not receive any such complaint from Sahil before the institute’s relevant cell or administration. The institute has also acknowledged that all facts related to the incident need to be investigated. The final confirmation of the allegations will be possible only after the investigation and legal process.
The controversy grew after protesters were detained. On 18 October, police first detained some students. Subsequently, Sahil’s parents, their lawyer and other protesters also faced police action. The matter escalated further after reports that the protest site had been cleared. Protesters questioned the action and reiterated their demand for justice. Sahil’s death is no longer limited to an investigation into the death of one student. It has triggered a wider debate on complaints of caste discrimination in higher education institutions, mental health support, disciplinary processes and administrative accountability.
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