Mumbai, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
IIT-Bombay is planning to replace ceiling fans with wall-mounted fans in parts of its Powai campus, days after the death of a 22-year-old student and amid growing questions over student welfare and institutional accountability.
The move follows the death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district. He was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on Friday evening.
According to reports, Wakode was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination earlier that day.
Sources said the first consignment of wall-mounted fans has already reached the campus and installation is expected to begin shortly. While the replacement has been described as part of an ongoing renovation exercise, it has attracted attention following Wakode’s death.
According to sources cited by NDTV, discussions on replacing ceiling fans had been underway for around two months and the proposal was recently approved. Students have also confirmed that the new fans have arrived on campus.
The institute administration has not yet issued an official statement on the reported replacement plan.
The development has drawn criticism from NCP(SP) spokesperson Anish Gavande, who questioned whether changing the type of fans would address the wider issue of student suicides at educational institutions. He called for greater emphasis on suicide prevention and mental health support.
“Does IIT-Bombay really think that replacing ceiling fans with wall fans will solve the suicide problem affecting IITs across the country?” Gavande said.
Wakode’s death was followed by protests on the IIT-Bombay campus, with students and political activists raising questions about institutional accountability and student welfare.
On Monday, the institute removed Professor Suryanarayana Doolla as Dean of Administrative Affairs following the protests. Doolla, however, continues to be a member of the institute’s faculty.
Wakode’s father, Ravindra Wakode, has alleged that his son faced mocking, harassment and caste-based discrimination. He has sought an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his son’s death and the alleged role of the institute administration.
Following a complaint by the family, Mumbai Police have booked Doolla under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to abetment of suicide.
The investigation into Wakode’s death and the allegations raised by his family is underway.
FOLLOW NOW
