Second year BTech student of IIT Bombay, Sahil Wakode, who allegedly died by suicide on September 18, had told his parents about casteist remarks and the “torture” he was allegedly subjected to on the campus days before his death, according to his parents.

His parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, who were in Mumbai on Tuesday to meet Crime Branch officials investigating Sahil’s death, said they had encouraged him to ignore the remarks and concentrate on his studies — an advice they now say they regret.

Speaking to reporters outside the Crime Branch office in Bandra, Sahil’s father Ravindra said, “When we met Sahil on September 13, he had spoken about casteist remarks against him. But we counselled him that it was not easy to get into an IIT and that he should focus on his studies. Now we feel that perhaps it was our mistake.”

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He added that Sahil’s first year at IIT went smooth and he started facing caste-based discrimination only during his second year of B.Tech.

Sonali said the family had tried to boost his morale. “We told him that he had to ignore these things and focus on his studies,” she said.

Alleging caste-based discrimination, the family has demanded the arrest of institute director Prof Shireesh Kedare and Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, who was the invigilator in the examination hall where Sahil was allegedly found using a mobile phone the day he died.

“We have full faith in the Crime Branch as well as the Constitution of India. Considering various instances from the past at IIT Bombay, it is a matter of investigation to verify what is happening there. Why is it that most Dalit students are dying by suicide,” Sonali said.

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Asked about the allegation that Sahil had been caught copying, Ravindra said the matter should be established through the investigation. “The IIT administration earlier spoke about him cheating and later issued an apology for it stating that it is under investigation. Thus these claims should be proven by investigation. My son was a bright student and had managed to secure a seat at IIT Bombay,” he said.

The family said justice would be done only after action is taken against those they hold responsible for their son’s death.

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