Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the parents of deceased IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode and assured them of all possible assistance as they seek justice for their son, party sources said on Thursday.
Nearly 17-minute call with Sahil’s parents
Gandhi spoke to Ravindra and Sonali Wakode through a video call while they were travelling to Mumbai from Washim district. The conversation lasted nearly 17 minutes, during which he told the couple that he was with them and assured them of support, according to party sources. Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib and Maharashtra Congress leader Shivraj More were also present with the family.
The interaction came as Sahil’s parents prepared to begin an indefinite hunger strike outside the IIT Bombay gate, seeking action and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their son’s death.
Police and IIT Bombay continue investigations
Sahil, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the death. An FIR has been registered alleging abetment to suicide on grounds of caste discrimination. Faculty member Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been named in the FIR, has been sent on leave while the investigation continues.
Sahil’s parents have alleged that he faced caste-based discrimination and mental harassment at the institute and have sought action against those they hold responsible. IIT Bombay has constituted a 10-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The institute has also said its SC/ST cell had not received a complaint from Sahil before his death.
The police have said the investigation is being conducted impartially and that all possible angles are being examined. The allegations remain subject to the ongoing investigation.