03 October,2026 01:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Representational image. File pic
Maharashtra Congress in-charge Sirivella Prasad and Maharashtra Congress State President Harshwardhan Sapkal met with the family of IIT-Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who committed suicide due to alleged caste discrimination, at the Shanti Ashram.
As per IANS, during the meeting, the deceased's family discussed the matter in detail with Congress leaders.
All India Congress Committee Secretary B.M. Sandeep, Rehana Chishti, U.B. Venkatesh, and Mumbai Congress President and MP Varsha Gaikwad, among other leaders, were also present.
The meeting between the parents of the deceased student and Congress leaders comes just two days after Mumbai Congress Youth President Zeenat Shabrin met with his family.
Last month, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi spoke to the student's family over the phone and assured them of his support in their pursuit of justice. Gandhi expressed solidarity with the family and assured them of all possible support in seeking justice for Sahil.
Later on September 24, Varsha Gaikwad visited Azad Maidan to meet Sahil Wakode's father, who began a sit-in protest demanding action against those responsible for his son's death.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded the statement of Professor Suryanarayan Doolla. The professor was questioned for approximately eight hours, during which his statement was recorded. He denied all allegations levelled against him, as per IANS.
The students' parents filed a police complaint that Professor Doolla had harassed their son. Acting on the allegations, the Crime Branch questioned the professor about the events leading up to Wakode's death and his interactions with the student.
During the interrogation, Professor Doolla denied all the allegations leveled against him, according to sources.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is also expected to summon IIT-Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare soon to record his statement as part of the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the police are examining CCTV footage from the examination hall to gather crucial information about the events and activities preceding Wakode's death.
The Crime Branch has so far recorded statements from around 50 people, including Wakode's parents and classmates, as part of its probe.
CCTV footage from September 18 reportedly showed Professor Doolla pulling Wakode aside after allegedly catching him using a mobile phone during an examination.
Following the student's death, IIT-Bombay had said that the student had uploaded the question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers. The institute had also stated that no disciplinary action was taken against him in connection with the incident.
(With inputs from IANS)
