Mumbai: The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode were detained by Mumbai Police on Thursday while they were travelling towards the institute’s Powai campus, their lawyer Nikhil Kamble alleged. The couple was reportedly detained at Bhandup Police Station for around an hour before being released.
According to the lawyer, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode were heading to IIT Bombay as they had planned to stage a protest and demand action in connection with their son’s death. They were later taken to the Maharashtra government’s Sahyadri Guest House to meet officials of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission.
Police Say Parents Were Asked to Shift Protest Venue
A police official said the parents had been informed that they could hold their protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan but were insisting on staging it outside the IIT Bombay campus.
Police were reportedly trying to persuade the couple to shift the protest venue. The family was subsequently expected to proceed to Azad Maidan to continue their protest.
The latest development comes a day after the family’s lawyer had alleged that Mumbai Police tried to take the couple out of Mumbai against their wishes. Police denied that allegation, saying the parents had themselves asked to be taken to Yavatmal.
Parents Demand Action in Sahil Wakode Case
Sahil Wakode, a second-year IIT Bombay student, died last week after an incident during a mid-semester examination in which he was allegedly found using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT. His parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and have demanded action against those named in the FIR.
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the case. IIT Bombay has also formed a 10-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death, while a faculty member named in the FIR has been sent on leave.
The parents had announced an indefinite hunger strike outside the IIT Bombay gate, seeking action in the case. Their latest detention came as they were travelling towards the campus to begin the planned protest.