Overview
- Sahil Wakode, a 22‑year‑old IIT Bombay student, was found dead in his hostel room hours after an exam interaction on September 18 that CCTV shows ended with an invigilator taking his answer sheet and escorting him out of the hall.
- The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from about 20–25 students, staff and witnesses and is analysing campus and hostel CCTV to piece together Wakode’s movements that afternoon.
- Investigators have sent Wakode’s locked iPhone and laptop for forensic examination but have not yet accessed the phone because it is secured with a pattern lock, and CCTV panchanama and certified digital evidence are being sought for the case file.
- Police registered an FIR that includes abetment to suicide and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act after the family alleged caste‑based harassment; Professor Suryanarayana Doolla is named in the FIR, placed on leave, and has not yet given a formal statement to the Crime Branch.
- IIT Bombay has apologised for earlier public statements, formed a 10‑member inquiry panel, postponed mid‑semester exams, faced internal faculty disagreement over due process, and seen the student’s parents begin a hunger strike while the NCSC conducted a spot inquiry and demanded evidence preservation.