Stand-up comedian Masoom Rajwani was detained by Mumbai Police on Sunday, October 25, 2026, while attending a candlelight vigil at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar, organised in memory of Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old IIT Bombay student who died by suicide in September.
The incident has drawn attention after Rajwani shared a video on social media in which he questioned the reason for his detention and alleged that police personnel had used excessive force against protesters.
Sahil Wakode’s Death and the Demand for Justice
Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, 2026. His death occurred hours after he was reportedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.
While the examination incident initially attracted attention, Wakode’s parents and several student groups have alleged that caste-based harassment and discrimination played a significant role in his death. Their allegations have specifically named Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.
The candlelight vigil held on October 25 aimed to seek justice for Wakode and demand accountability from the IIT Bombay administration. Rajwani joined other participants at Chaityabhoomi, a site of historical and cultural importance to the Dalit community and the cremation ground of Dr BR Ambedkar.
Masoom Rajwani Shares Video After Detention
Mumbai Police detained Rajwani along with approximately 20 to 25 other people who had gathered for the vigil. According to police officials, the gathering did not have the required permissions, and the detentions were carried out as a preventive measure to maintain law and order.
After being detained, Rajwani posted a video on his official Instagram account. In the footage, he can be heard repeatedly asking police personnel, “Maine kiya kya hai?” which translates to “What have I done?”
The comedian also alleged that the police had used excessive force against those attending the gathering. He claimed that eight women and two minor boys were among the people detained during the police action.
Around 140 People Detained Across Two Locations
The action at Chaityabhoomi took place alongside a separate police intervention at Shivaji Park, where approximately 120 people participating in an unauthorised ‘Adivasi Gen Z’ protest were detained.
Together, the two operations resulted in around 140 people being taken into preventive custody across locations in Dadar. Those detained during the Chaityabhoomi vigil, including Rajwani, were subsequently released from Tardeo, Worli and Dadar police stations later that night.
The incident followed another round of detentions on October 18, when Sahil Wakode’s parents and students were taken into custody while protesting outside IIT Bombay, a month after his death.
The repeated police action against people seeking justice for Wakode has prompted questions about the handling of such demonstrations and the right to peaceful assembly.