Parents of IIT Bombay Student Seek Independent Probe into Son’s Death

Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, the parents of 20-year-old Sahil Wakode, have filed a petition with the Bombay High Court requesting a fair and independent probe into their son's death. The second-year BTech student, who belonged to a scheduled caste, died by suicide on September 18.

The petition alleges that the student was subjected to mental torture and caste-based humiliation by a professor. The family claims that the professor berated their son and prevented him from completing an examination, which they argue led to a coerced apology and directly preceded his death.

The parents are seeking to have the investigation monitored by a retired High Court judge. They have also requested that witness statements be recorded before a magistrate and that specific CCTV footage from the institute be preserved to prevent the selective release of evidence.

The Mumbai police have already registered an FIR against professor Suryanarayan Doolla for abetment of suicide. The legal team representing the parents is expected to request an urgent hearing for the petition.