The Hon’ble Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Shri Kishor Makwana, today conducted a detailed spot inquiry at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) in connection with the death of Shri Sahil Wakode, a Scheduled Caste student pursuing his second year of B.Tech. in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.

The visit was undertaken in view of the allegations levelled by the family of the deceased regarding caste-based discrimination, harassment and the circumstances preceding his death. The matter is presently under investigation by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. The Commission is examining the matter within the framework of the constitutional and statutory safeguards available to members of the Scheduled Castes.

During the visit, the Hon’ble Chairman held a detailed interaction with senior authorities of IIT Bombay, including the Director, Deputy Director, Registrar, concerned faculty members and other officials of the Institute. The Commission sought a comprehensive account of the sequence of events preceding the student’s death, including the incident reported to have occurred during a mid-semester examination on 18 September 2026, when the student was allegedly found involved in academic malpractice.

 

The Commission examined the circumstances in which the student was questioned during the examination, the procedure reportedly followed thereafter, the role of the concerned faculty and Institute authorities, and the institutional mechanisms available for addressing student grievances and safeguarding the welfare and rights of students belonging to Scheduled Castes.

The Hon’ble Chairman emphasized that all relevant records and material connected with the matter, including CCTV footage, electronic evidence, official communications, examination-related records and other documentary material, should be preserved and made available to the investigating authorities in accordance with law, so that the circumstances surrounding the student’s death can be established on the basis of evidence.

As part of the spot inquiry, Shri Kishor Makwana personally visited the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, where Shri Sahil Wakode was pursuing his studies. The Chairman also inspected the classroom/examination hall where the reported examination incident took place and sought information regarding the sequence of events during and immediately after the examination.

The Commission thereafter visited the hostel premises and the room occupied by the deceased student. The Hon’ble Chairman also interacted with classmates and fellow students of Shri Sahil Wakode to understand his academic and campus experience and to obtain information regarding the circumstances and events preceding his death. The Commission is seeking to consider such inputs along with official records and the findings of the ongoing investigation.

Following the spot inquiry at IIT Bombay, the Hon’ble Chairman held a high-level meeting with senior police authorities, including the Director General of Police, Commissioner of Police and senior officers associated with the investigation, including officers of the Crime Branch.

During the meeting, the Commission reviewed the status and progress of the investigation and sought details regarding the FIR, collection and preservation of evidence, CCTV footage, examination of witnesses and other relevant aspects of the case.

The Hon’ble Chairman directed the investigating authorities to ensure that the investigation is fair, impartial, comprehensive and expeditious, and that every relevant allegation and circumstance is examined strictly on the basis of available evidence and in accordance with law.

The police authorities were further asked to ensure proper collection, preservation and examination of all relevant documentary, electronic, forensic and testimonial evidence. The Commission also emphasized the need for recording the statements of students, faculty members, Institute officials and other persons who may possess relevant information, wherever required in accordance with law.

The Hon’ble Chairman directed the concerned authorities to furnish a detailed Action Taken/Investigation Report to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes at the earliest, for further examination by the Commission.

The Hon’ble Chairman subsequently met the parents and other family members of Shri Sahil Wakode and heard their grievances and concerns in detail. The family placed before the Commission their allegations regarding the circumstances preceding the death of the student and submitted a written complaint seeking appropriate intervention by the Commission.

Shri Makwana assured the family that the Commission would examine the matter in accordance with its constitutional and statutory mandate. The Commission will closely monitor the progress of the investigation and take appropriate action within its jurisdiction based on the facts and evidence that emerge.

The Commission reiterated that the constitutional and statutory safeguards available to members of the Scheduled Castes must be effectively protected and that institutions must maintain appropriate mechanisms for ensuring dignity, equality, non-discrimination, student welfare and effective grievance redressal.

The Commission also emphasized the importance of maintaining social harmony and cohesion while ensuring that all allegations are examined objectively, transparently and in accordance with due process.

The Hon’ble Chairman was accompanied by Dr. Sunil Kumar Babu, Director, NCSC State Office, Maharashtra; Dr. R. Stalin, Deputy Director, Atrocities & Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) Wing, NCSC Headquarters, New Delhi; and officials of the NCSC State Office.

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PR-135-TAR/KV/GA/RK

 

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