IIT Bombay Withholds Belongings Seized From Protesting Students for 20 Days

Hyderabad: Students protesting the death of fellow student Sahil Wakode at IIT Bombay have accused the institute administration of continued harassment, alleging that their laptops, books, medicines, research notes and other personal belongings seized from the protest site on October 18 have not been returned, with end-semester examinations scheduled to begin on November 10.

In a statement, the students said the administration had created repeated procedural hurdles over the past 20 days, affecting their academic work and examination preparations.

The protest began on September 18 following the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode. Students had gathered at Justice Corner, near the institute's main gate, demanding accountability for student deaths and institutional reforms. On October 18, the protest site was cleared, and 22 students were detained by police from within the campus.

The students alleged that their belongings were removed along with Wakode's photograph and a statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Some students were also unable to access their hostel rooms, they claimed.

According to the students, the administration initially directed them to approach the police for their belongings. They were subsequently asked to wait for police permission and submit common and individual inventories. Despite complying, they were later asked to sign an affidavit confirming receipt of the items even though the belongings had not been shown to them. The Registrar subsequently classified the items as 'lost' and directed them to follow the institute's lost-and-found procedures.

A return room was set up on October 24, but the process stalled after the administration refused to allow student representatives to witness and document it. The students said an informal delegation of five faculty members was later formed to negotiate the return. However, their request to be accompanied by a friend during collection was also rejected.

In a separate appeal, a student described the situation as a "human tragedy" and alleged that the October 18 police action had left the campus traumatised. The student claimed protesters were dragged and assaulted, while some female students alleged sexual assault by police personnel in the presence of senior institute officials. These allegations could not be independently verified.

"The memorial for our Sahil was desecrated; flowers and candles were swept away as if his memory, and ours, meant nothing," the student said, alleging that the administration's response had deepened the distress among protesters.

The student further accused the institute of obstructing academic activities by withholding essential belongings. PhD scholars have reportedly borrowed laptops to prepare annual progress reports and presentations, while students used borrowed devices to bring out their newsletter on October 30.

"We are students. We are researchers. We have exams in four days. We are tired of fighting for our own books, our own laptops, and our own dignity. We just want to study. We just want justice. Is that too much to ask?" the student said.

The protesters have demanded the immediate return of all seized belongings, including laptops, medicines, hospital records and room keys, an explanation for their seizure, a public apology and an independent inquiry into the October 18 police action. They have also sought restoration of campus life through dialogue and an assurance that no student would face action for participating in the protest.

"How can a temple of learning become a place that obstructs its own students from studying and sitting for placements?" the student asked.