MUMBAI: The death of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay student has ignited fresh concerns about campus harassment and the treatment of students from smaller towns. Sahil Wakhode, a second-year BTech scholar in the Energy Science and Engineering department, was discovered hanging from a noose inside his hostel room on Friday evening. His body was found by hostel staff who had responded to a report of unusual silence from his room.
Sahil hailed from the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra. According to his father, he had been experiencing severe distress after being apprehended for allegedly using a mobile phone during an examination earlier that day. In the hours between the incident in the exam hall and his death, his father claims that Professor Surya Narayan Dulla contacted him and hurled caste-based abusive remarks. The elder Wakhode further alleged that Dulla had warned Sahil that he would be framed in a fabricated criminal case if he did not comply with certain demands.
The Mumbai Police confirmed that a case has been registered against Professor Dulla. The investigation has been transferred to the Crime Branch, which will examine the circumstances surrounding the student's death, the nature of the academic disciplinary proceedings, and the alleged threats made to the family. The Crime Branch typically handles cases involving serious allegations or public interest sensitivity.
IIT Bombay authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive statement regarding the institute's internal inquiry. The hostel where Sahil resided has been placed under heightened security, and counseling services have been made available to students and staff. A number of student groups on campus have expressed grief and called for accountability, urging the administration to ensure that students feel safe reporting grievances without fear of retaliation.
Sahil's case has drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by students from rural and semi-urban backgrounds at elite institutions. Advocacy groups have pointed out that students from districts like Yavatmal often encounter linguistic barriers, financial strain, and social isolation, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and mental health crises.
The police are currently examining digital communications, hostel surveillance footage, and statements from faculty members and fellow students to reconstruct the timeline of events leading up to Sahil's death.
