Students of IIT-Bombay have demanded a new probe panel into the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode, 22, who was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18. He died hours after allegedly being caught using his phone for ChatGPT during a mid-semester exam.

His parents have filed an FIR naming Prof Suryanarayana Doolla. They allege caste discrimination and abetment to suicide. The Mumbai Crime Branch is probing the case. A 10-member internal committee is also looking into it, but students say its make-up is unfair.

On Friday night, students held a candlelight march and asked for the panel to be rebuilt with outside members. Prof Doolla has been sent on leave during the probe.

The committee was set up by the institute after the death. Students say it has too many insiders. They want teachers from other institutes and a retired judge on the panel. The institute has not yet agreed to the demand.

On Monday, Sahil’s father Ravindra Wakode began a sit-in at Azad Maidan. He vowed to continue the protest till his son gets justice.