NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana Conducts Spot Inquiry at IIT Bombay Over SC Student's Tragic Death

In a swift and high-level intervention, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has stepped into the tragic death of a Scheduled Caste student at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. On September 24, 2026, the Hon'ble Chairman of NCSC, Shri Kishor Makwana, personally conducted a comprehensive spot inquiry at the IIT Bombay campus to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Shri Sahil Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. The high-stakes visit comes in the wake of severe allegations raised by the bereaved family regarding caste-based discrimination, institutional harassment, and the events leading up to the young student's untimely demise.

The incident has once again brought to the forefront the critical conversations surrounding mental health, caste equity, grievance redressal, and institutional accountability within India's premier higher education institutes. With the Mumbai Police Crime Branch actively probing the case, the NCSC's direct intervention signals a rigorous constitutional oversight aimed at ensuring absolute transparency, protection of civil rights, and strict adherence to due process.

Key Highlights & Major Announcements

• Direct Campus Inspection: NCSC Chairman Shri Kishor Makwana personally visited the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, the examination hall, and the student's hostel room to reconstruct the sequence of events.
• High-Level Administrative Review: The Chairman held intensive discussions with IIT Bombay’s senior leadership, including the Director, Deputy Director, Registrar, and concerned faculty members.
• Focus on Evidence Preservation: Strict directives were issued to preserve all crucial material, including CCTV footage, electronic logs, and examination papers, for a foolproof investigation.
• Review with Law Enforcement: Shri Makwana held a high-level meeting with the Director General of Police, Commissioner of Police, and Crime Branch officials, instructing them to conduct an impartial, comprehensive, and expeditious probe.
• Meeting with the Bereaved Family: The Chairman interacted personally with the parents of the deceased student, assuring them that the Commission would examine their written complaints within its constitutional mandate.

Unpacking the Timeline and Campus Investigation

The tragedy surrounding Shri Sahil Wakode has deeply shaken the academic community. According to preliminary reports and information gathered by the Commission, the events leading to the crisis trace back to a mid-semester examination held on September 18, 2026. During this examination, the student was allegedly accused of academic malpractice, prompting questioning and subsequent administrative procedures by the faculty.

The NCSC is closely scrutinizing whether due process was followed during this interrogation, and if institutional protocols adequately factored in the student's welfare, emotional state, and psychological resilience. During his campus inspection, Shri Makwana walked through the exact physical locations where these events unfolded—from the examination hall to the hostel quarters where the student resided—to gather a ground-level understanding of his academic environment and campus experience.

Interactions with Students and Faculty

To piece together an objective narrative, the Commission engaged \textensively with classmates, student representatives, and faculty members. These interactions are vital for assessing the academic pressure, interpersonal dynamics, and social climate experienced by reserved category students within high-performance, hyper-competitive technical institutions. The NCSC aims to juxtapose these firsthand accounts with official records, CCTV evidence, and forensic findings to establish the absolute truth.

The Commission reiterated that the constitutional and statutory safeguards available to members of the Scheduled Castes must be effectively protected and that institutions must maintain appropriate mechanisms for ensuring dignity, equality, non-discrimination, student welfare and effective grievance redressal.

Police Probe and Accountability

Following the campus inspection, the NCSC Chairman convened a high-level security and administrative briefing with top brass law enforcement officials of Maharashtra, including the DGP and the Police Commissioner. The primary agenda of this meeting was to review the status of the First Information Report (FIR), the collection of forensic and digital evidence, and the recording of testimonies from witnesses.

The Commission has explicitly directed the police authorities to leave no stone unturned. Every allegation raised by the family must be thoroughly vetted through scientific investigation, digital tracking, and testimonial evidence. The police have also been tasked with submitting a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) to the NCSC at the earliest for further judicial and statutory examination.

Significance & National Impact

The intervention of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes at IIT Bombay carries profound national significance. India's premier technical institutions are temples of modern knowledge, yet they have repeatedly faced scrutiny regarding social inclusion and caste sensitivity. Incidents involving students from marginalized communities often highlight systemic gaps in psychological support systems, anti-discrimination cells, and peer mentoring.

This high-level inquiry sends an uncompromising message that academic excellence cannot come at the cost of students' dignity and safety. By demanding strict institutional accountability, transparent police investigations, and robust grievance redressal mechanisms, the NCSC is pushing for structural reforms across all IITs, NITs, and central universities. Ensuring social harmony, psychological safety, and absolute zero tolerance for discrimination remains an imperative national goal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why did the NCSC Chairman visit IIT Bombay?

NCSC Chairman Shri Kishor Makwana conducted a spot inquiry at IIT Bombay to investigate the tragic death of Scheduled Caste student Sahil Wakode following allegations of caste-based discrimination, harassment, and irregularities surrounding an examination incident.

2. What are the key directives issued by the NCSC to the police?

The Commission directed law enforcement authorities—including the Crime Branch and DGP—to conduct a fair, impartial, comprehensive, and expeditious investigation, ensuring the proper collection and preservation of all electronic, forensic, and testimonial evidence.

3. What role does the NCSC play in such matters?

Under its constitutional and statutory mandate, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes protects the rights and safeguards of SC communities, investigates complaints of atrocities or discrimination, and monitors administrative and police actions to ensure justice.

4. How is IIT Bombay cooperating with the investigation?

Senior IIT Bombay authorities, including the Director, Deputy Director, and Registrar, held detailed discussions with the NCSC Chairman, committing to provide all necessary records, CCTV footage, and examination documents to aid the ongoing probe.

Official Source & Verification

This article is grounded on the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India (Release ID: 2314585, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment). Access the official document: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2314585&lang=1.