IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode's friend says casteism was not an issue. Family alleges discrimination as campus protests and a probe continue.

Introduction

The death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode has triggered protests on the campus and raised questions about alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination. Amid the controversy, a close friend of Sahil has told NDTV that he did not believe casteism was an issue in the student's experience at the institute.

The friend, identified as Yatish Kumar, said Sahil appeared normal and cheerful when they met a few days before the examination incident. He also recalled Sahil as a friendly student with whom he had spent time since their first year at IIT Bombay.

Friend Says Sahil Appeared Normal Before Exam

According to Yatish Kumar, he met Sahil around four to five days before the examination and noticed nothing unusual about him.

He described Sahil as a "fun guy" and said he appeared happy and normal at the time. The friend said that nobody in their circle had expected that Sahil could die by suicide.

Kumar said the two had become friends during their first year. Sahil had lived in a room next to him, and they had also played badminton together.

"We all miss him. The entire college miss Sahil," Kumar told NDTV, describing the loss as difficult for students who knew him.

What Happened During the Examination?

The incident came after Sahil was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination. According to reports, the phone was allegedly used to upload the examination question paper to ChatGPT.

Kumar said Sahil was "caught cheating" during the examination and that a professor took him outside the examination room. He added that he did not know what happened afterward because Sahil belonged to another department.

IIT Bombay had earlier said that no disciplinary action through the Disciplinary Action Committee had been imposed on Sahil. The institute has since apologised for its earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding his death, saying conclusions should not have been drawn before the investigation established the facts.

Friend Rejects Casteism Allegation

Sahil's family has alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination. A case has been registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, alongside allegations connected with his death.

However, Kumar told NDTV that he had not personally experienced caste-based discrimination at IIT Bombay and did not believe casteism was an issue in Sahil's case.

At the same time, the friend's comments represent his personal experience and understanding of the situation. They do not establish the final circumstances surrounding Sahil's death, which remain subject to investigation.

Questions Over Student Pressure and Mental Health

While discussing the examination incident, Kumar said that academic rules should be followed but that the mental state of a student should also be considered when disciplinary issues arise.

His comments have added another dimension to the debate at IIT Bombay, where protesting students have raised broader concerns about student welfare, mental health, disciplinary procedures and institutional accountability.

Students have submitted an 18-point charter of demands covering issues including an independent investigation, stronger mental-health support, changes to disciplinary procedures, greater student representation and improved grievance mechanisms.

IIT Bombay Issues Apology

Amid the protests, IIT Bombay issued an apology concerning its earlier communication about Sahil's death. The institute said it was inappropriate to draw conclusions about the circumstances surrounding the death before those circumstances had been established through an investigation.

The institute has also denied reports that Director Shireesh Kedare had resigned. Meanwhile, Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, who was associated with the examination incident, was removed from his administrative position amid the continuing controversy, with further action linked to the investigation and due process.

Students' 18 Demands

The campus protests have expanded beyond the immediate examination incident. Among the issues raised by students are:

• Independent investigation into Sahil Wakode's death
• Greater student representation in academic and institutional committees
• Stronger mental-health and counselling facilities
• Mental-health sensitisation for professors and staff
• Changes to the Disciplinary Action Committee process
• Improved grievance-redressal mechanisms
• An open house involving senior IIT Bombay officials
• A task force focusing on student wellbeing
• A proposed 24-hour psychiatrist-on-call facility
• Greater transparency in institutional decision-making

Crime Branch Investigation

The investigation into Sahil Wakode's death has also been transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, according to reports citing police sources.

The case includes allegations made by Sahil's family, including claims of caste-based harassment. The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the examination incident and the events that followed.

Key Highlights

• Sahil Ravindra Wakode was a second-year IIT Bombay student.
• He was found dead in his hostel room after a mid-semester examination.
• His friend Yatish Kumar said he did not believe casteism was an issue.
• Sahil's family has alleged caste-based discrimination and institutional harassment.
• A case has been registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
• IIT Bombay has apologised for its earlier communication regarding the circumstances of the death.
• Students have submitted an 18-point charter of demands.
• The investigation has been handed over to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
• IIT Bombay has denied reports that its Director Shireesh Kedare resigned.

Professional Disclaimer & Third-Party Reference

This article is based on information reported by established third-party news sources, including NDTV, India Today, The Indian Express and other publicly available reports. Allegations concerning caste-based discrimination, institutional harassment and the circumstances surrounding Sahil Wakode's death remain subject to investigation and due legal process. Statements attributed to individuals are presented as reported claims and should not be treated as independently established findings.

Conclusion

The Sahil Wakode case has raised significant questions about student welfare, disciplinary procedures, mental-health support and allegations of caste-based discrimination at IIT Bombay. While his close friend has said he did not see casteism as an issue, Sahil's family has made serious allegations that are now part of the formal investigation. With the Crime Branch examining the case and IIT Bombay responding to student demands, the findings of the investigation will be important in establishing the circumstances surrounding his death.