Rahul Gandhi Calls Sahil Wakode’s Parents, Assures Help in IIT Bombay Death Case

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday spoke to the parents of deceased IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode and assured them of all possible help in their efforts to seek justice for their son, party sources said. Gandhi made a video call to Ravindra and Sonali Wakode while they were travelling to Mumbai from Washim district. The conversation lasted nearly 17 minutes, during which Gandhi told the couple that he stood with them and assured them of support, according to party sources cited by PTI.

Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib and Maharashtra Congress unit chief Shivraj More were also present with the family during the video call, the sources said. IIT Bombay Professor Suryanarayana Doolla Asked to Go on Leave Amid Probe Into Student Sahil Wakode’s Death.

Sahil Wakode Death Case Under Investigation

Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, died by suicide on September 18. His death followed an incident during a mid-semester examination, after which protests broke out on the Powai campus. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Sahil's parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at the institute. They have sought action against IIT Bombay officials, including Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and Director Shireesh Kedare. These allegations are part of the ongoing investigation.

Police have booked Professor Doolla under provisions including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to reports. Mumbai Police Transfers IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode Death Case to Crime Branch.

IIT Bombay Takes Action Amid Protests

IIT Bombay has suspended Professor Doolla from his administrative position and later sent him on leave amid the controversy. The institute has also apologised for an earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding Sahil's death, saying the details remained subject to investigation. The institute has constituted a 10-member high-level committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the student's death. Meanwhile, protests and demands for a thorough investigation have continued.

Sahil's parents have also demanded arrests in the case. His father, Ravindra Wakode, had said he would undertake a hunger strike if officials named in the case were not arrested. The investigation into Sahil's death and the allegations made by his family is ongoing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2026 11:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).