Sahil Wakode’s parents seek police protection, allege threat to life and probe

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Sahil Wakode’s parents have begun a one-day hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan after receiving permission to protest until 6 P.M. | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini

The parents of former IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode have sought police protection, expressing fears for their lives and alleging that the persons they have accused in connection with their son’s death could influence the investigation, their lawyer Advocate Nikhil Kamble said on Tuesday (September 29, 2026).

According to Mr. Kamble, the family has approached the Mumbai Commissioner of Police, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) and Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), seeking protection.

The parents have accused IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare and Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla in connection with Wakode’s death. Mr. Kamble said the family believes the two are influential and fears that they could interfere with the investigation or pose a threat to the family. The allegations have not been independently established.

Mr. Kamble also raised concerns over the alleged leak of CCTV footage related to the case, claiming that the failure to arrest those accused by the family had contributed to concerns over the preservation and confidentiality of evidence.

Meanwhile, Wakode’s parents will continue their hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in accordance with permission granted by the Azad Maidan police station, Mr. Kamble said.

He added that no representative of the Maharashtra government has approached the family so far, despite their protest and repeated demands for action in the case.

The family had staged a hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Tuesday (September 29, 2026), demanding the arrest of Prof. Doolla. They have also alleged that IIT Bombay’s inquiry committee, constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death, has not contacted them even once.

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