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IIT Bombay Clash: Students vs. Admin Over Seized Items
24 Oct
Summary
- Student protest over suicide leads to belongings seizure.
- IIT Bombay admin and students accuse each other of unauthorized recording.
- Dispute over retrieval protocol halts return of student property.
A dispute has stalled the return of personal belongings confiscated from students protesting at IIT Bombay on October 18, 2026. The institute's administration proposed returning the items in the presence of a faculty and security panel. However, the protesting students objected, deeming the procedure inappropriate for seized items rather than lost property. This disagreement, along with mutual accusations of unauthorized video recording, led to a stalemate.
The protest, ongoing for over a month following the suicide of second-year student Sahil Wakode, saw around 12-15 students detained. Their belongings, including keys, laptops, medicines, and photos, were taken from the main entrance, which the institute claimed was blocked. The students agreed to the retrieval process but requested witness presence and a joint statement, which the administration cited protocol issues to deny.
The institute stated its standard procedure was disregarded by the students, who proposed their own protocol. The administration indicated further deliberation would occur regarding the next steps. The students alleged the panel suspended the process abruptly, citing rules that limited one student at a time, undermining their representation and accountability demands.
