Sahil Wakode’s parents. File
| Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini
Ravindra C. Wakode and Sonali Wakode have filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking transfer of the investigation into the death of their son, Sahil Wakode, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The petition seeks supervision of the investigation by a judge who has retired from the High Court.
The petition, filed through advocate Hitendra Gandhi, states that the Powai police registered a case of abetment of suicide. The parents state that the police have not investigated the role of authorities of the institute. The petition seeks directions to secure all CCTV footage from September 18, 2026, and to prevent contact with witnesses.
Sahil Wakode, 20, was a student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. On September 18, 2026, during an examination, Prof. Suryanarayan Doolla, who was the instructor and an invigilator, removed Sahil from the hall. The petition states that Prof. Doolla took Sahil to the office of the Head of the Department.
The petition refers to the ‘Procedures for handling acts of academic malpractice by students’ from April 2015. The rules state that an invigilator should confiscate material, issue an answer book and allow the student to continue the examination. The petition states that Prof. Doolla did not follow this procedure. The parents allege that Sahil was questioned and asked to write a letter to apologise.
Sahil Wakode died on September 18, 2026. The petition states that the police declined to register an FIR. The police registered F.I.R. No. 999 of 2026 on September 19, 2026, under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The investigation was transferred to the Crime Branch.
The parents seek an investigation into the actions of the authorities. The petition states that the actions of the authorities amount to abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Those in distress may contact Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health suicide prevention helpline: 011-40769002.
Published – October 31, 2026 05:15 pm IST
