Second-year BTech student was found hanging from the ceiling fan
Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his hostel room on the IIT Bombay campus in Powai on the evening of September 18. The professor concerned, whom he did not identify, was supported by the institute’s director, he claimed. (With Agency Inputs) You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news.
MUMBAI: The maternal grandmother of IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode, who died by suicide on September 18, on Monday alleged that “mental torture” may have been a reason behind his death and sought a probe into the institute’s administration and hostel environment. Speaking to reporters, Wakode’s maternal grandmother Shyamlata Tayade said, “Mental torture by IIT Bombay can be a reason behind Sahil’s suicide. Calling for equal treatment of all students, she said the institute’s administration and hostel environment should be investigated if bright students like Wakode are driven to end their lives. All relatives would always wish him well,” she said. Tayade said no one could believe that Wakode had died by suicide as he was very bright in his studies. She also said the institute should first inform the parents when such an incident takes place. Ravindra Wakode said Sahil was brought up in extreme poverty and had managed to secure admission to the premier institute. “The IIT Bombay administration tortured my son and discriminated against him on caste lines,” he claimed.
The incident led to protests by students and a police case against a professor under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, based on a complaint by Wakode’s parents alleging caste discrimination and harassment. “At home, Sahil had a lot of support from relatives and others as he was fulfilling everyone’s dream of studying at IIT. He alleged that IIT faculty members and officials from the administration had discriminated against Sahil on caste lines and falsely targeted him, and demanded a probe into their role in his son’s death. Ravindra Wakode asserted that his son was strong and was not someone who could commit suicide. Wakode alleged that his son would talk about a professor who would call him lower caste, torture and mock him with false accusations. Download the TOI App.
Earlier reporting noted: MUMBAI: The father of a 22-year-old IIT Bombay student who died by suicide has alleged that his son was subjected to caste-based discrimination, mocking and torture by a professor and the institute administration.
Earlier, speaking to a news channel, Wakode’s father Ravindra had claimed that his only son was subjected to relentless caste-based mocking and torture by a professor and the administration. Earlier reporting noted: IIT-Bombay student suicide: Father alleges caste-based mocking, torture by professor and admin Sahil’s last rites were conducted at his hometown in Yavatmal on Sunday. Earlier reporting noted: Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his hostel room on IIT Bombay’s Powai campus on Friday evening, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination, officials said.
Because now for what will his parents live? “He was his parents only son. To me it seems that not just Sahil but even his parents have been killed. My only plea is that Sahil’s family must get justice,” she asserted.