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IIT Bombay Student's Friend Denies Caste Discrimination in Death Case

A close associate of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, the IIT Bombay student whose death has drawn scrutiny, has rejected allegations of casteism surrounding the incident. The statement comes as the college community continues to mourn the loss.

LSN India · 21 September 2026

A friend of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, the IIT Bombay student who died recently, has categorically denied that caste discrimination played any role in the tragedy. The assertion challenges emerging narratives regarding potential casteism at the prestigious institution.

"We all miss him. The entire college misses Sahil. Losing a friend like this is not something anyone should experience," the friend told media outlets, emphasizing the collective grief felt across the campus.

Wakode's death has prompted wider discussions about the institutional environment at IIT Bombay, with questions raised about student welfare and campus culture. The incident has drawn attention from student organizations and civil society groups monitoring campus-related incidents across premier educational institutions.

The institute has not yet released an official statement regarding the circumstances of the student's death or any ongoing investigations. The case remains under examination, with multiple perspectives emerging from those connected to the institution and the deceased student's immediate circle.

The development underscores the continued scrutiny of safety and inclusion practices at India's leading technical institutions, even as those close to Wakode seek to separate fact from speculation surrounding his death.