22 September,2026 12:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The reported fan replacement plan comes days after student Sahil Wakode was found dead in his hostel room. File pic
IIT-Bombay is set to replace ceiling fans with wall-mounted fans in parts of its Powai campus, according to sources, days after the death of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode and amid demands for greater institutional accountability and reforms.
According to an IANS report, the first consignment of wall-mounted fans has already reached the campus, while installation work is expected to begin shortly. The replacement is being described as part of an ongoing renovation exercise, although the move has drawn attention following Wakode's death.
Wakode, a second-year student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering from Maharashtra's Yavatmal district, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on Friday evening.
According to sources cited by NDTV, discussions about replacing ceiling fans had been underway for around two months and the proposal was recently approved.
Students have also confirmed that the wall-mounted fans have arrived on the IIT-Bombay campus. However, the institute administration has not yet issued an official statement regarding the reported replacement plan or commented on the development.
Reports said Wakode's death occurred hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
The incident subsequently triggered protests on the campus, with students and political activists raising questions about institutional accountability and student welfare.
NCP(SP) spokesperson Anish Gavande criticised the reported move, questioning whether replacing ceiling fans would address wider concerns surrounding student suicides at educational institutions.
He called for greater focus on suicide prevention measures and mental health support for students.
"Does IIT-Bombay really think that replacing ceiling fans with wall fans will solve the suicide problem affecting IITs across the country?" he said.
On Monday, IIT-Bombay removed Professor Suryanarayana Doolla from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs following the protests. However, Doolla continues to remain a member of the institute's faculty.
Wakode's father, Ravindra Wakode, has alleged that his son faced mocking, harassment and caste-based discrimination. He has sought an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his son's death and the alleged role of the institute administration.
Following a complaint by Wakode's family, Mumbai Police booked Professor Suryanarayana Doolla under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to abetment of suicide.
The investigation into Wakode's death and the allegations raised by his family is underway.
(With inputs from IANS)
