The investigation into the death of the IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has widened, with the Mumbai Crime Branch investigating witness accounts, CCTV footage and digital evidence as well as witness testimony and witnesses’ accounts of his death as investigators attempt to discover the events leading up to his death. Wakode was found dead in his hostel room at IIT Bombay on September 18, said police.
The case was initially registered at the Powai Police Station before being transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Multiple aspects of the case are being looked at and the investigation is ongoing, police said. Wakode’s family has also protested and is demanding action against those who could be to blame for his death.
Crime Branch Records Statements From Students And Staff
As part of the investigation, the Crime Branch has recorded statements from around 20 people connected to the case. These include students in the exam on September 18, faculty or staff in charge of the exam, and staff at the institute.
Investigators are trying to establish a detailed timeline covering the period when Wakode was in the examination hall, his departure from the examination and his return to the hostel. CCTV footage from the examination hall and other areas of the IIT Bombay campus are also being examined to corroborate witness accounts.
A key focus of the investigation is the period after Wakode was asked to leave the examination hall. Investigators are examining what happened between his departure from the examination venue and his return to his hostel room.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla Yet To Be Questioned
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was supervising the examination, has now been named an accused following accusations by Wakode’s family. His statement, however, had not yet been recorded by the Crime Branch, according to reports.
IIT Bombay has asked Doolla to proceed on leave during the ongoing inquiry. He was also removed from his administrative position as Dean.
The allegations made by Wakode’s family include claims of caste-based harassment and abetment. These allegations remain part of the investigation and have not been established as facts by the police probe.
Locked mobile phone becomes key evidence
Wakode's mobile phone has become an important piece of evidence. Investigators have been unable to access the device because it is protected by a pattern lock.
Police are seeking technical and forensic assistance to examine the contents of the phone to see if communications or other digital activity could help to establish the sequence of events before his death. Missed-call notifications were also visible on the device, but investigators have not yet identified the people who made the phone calls, police said.
Wakode’s laptop has also been secured and sent for forensic examination. Investigators will examine available digital information as part of their overall effort to reconstruct his last hours.
CCTV Footage Under Examination
CCTV footage from the examination hall has become another crucial part of the investigation. Wakode is seen sitting in the examination hall and looking towards something near his lap or pocket before Professor Doolla approaches him and takes him out of the examination hall.
The investigators are looking at footage from other parts of the campus to determine Wakode’s movements after leaving the examination hall.
The footage is being treated as evidence to establish a timeline. It does not, by itself, establish the cause or circumstances of Wakode’s death.
IIT Bombay forms an Internal Inquiry Committee.
Besides the criminal investigation, IIT Bombay has formed a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances of Wakode’s death. The panel is chaired by Professor Ramesh Venkateswaran, chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Palakkad. The panel shall report its findings within one week.
The internal committee's inquiry is separate from the Mumbai Crime Branch investigation. IIT Bombay has also apologized for a communication they made earlier concerning Wakode’s death.
Parents Continue Protest In Mumbai
Wakode’s parents Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began an indefinite hunger strike on September 24, demanding action against those who are to blame for their son’s death.
The family had planned to protest outside the IIT Bombay campus but were stopped by police as they traveled towards Powai. They were taken for a meeting with officials of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
The parents later moved their protest to Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. But police asked the family to leave the protest site in the wake of Ganesh Visarjan arrangements. The family has said it intends to continue its protest and hunger strike.
These demands include action against those named in the case, preservation and examination of CCTV and electronic evidence, and an investigation by an independent central agency.
The family has also alleged that Wakode experienced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay. These allegations are being investigated and have not been proven by the police investigation so far.
NCSC Begins Separate Inquiry
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also taken up the matter. NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana conducted a spot inquiry at IIT Bombay on September 24 following the allegations raised by Wakode’s family.
The commission is investigating the family’s claims of caste-based discrimination and harassment, as well as the circumstances of Wakode’s death.
IIT Bombay Postpones Mid-Semester Exams.
The developments have also affected the academic schedule at IIT Bombay. The institute postponed its mid-semester examinations which are scheduled for September 26 and 27. The examinations have now been rescheduled for October 10 and 11.
Student protests and calls from students for greater accountability, clearer examination-related procedures and stronger student-support mechanisms have taken place at the campus.
What Happens Next In The Sahil Wakode Case?
The Mumbai Crime Branch is now investigating several strands of evidence, such as statements from students and staff, CCTV recordings, the examination hall incident and digital evidence from Wakode’s phone and laptop.
At the same time, the allegations made by Wakode’s family are being considered by relevant authorities, while IIT Bombay’s internal committee is conducting a separate institutional inquiry.
The precise timeline of September 18 is a key part of the investigation. The findings of the Mumbai Crime Branch, IIT Bombay’s internal committee and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes could provide further clarity on the circumstances of Sahil Wakode’s death.
Until those inquiries are completed, claims made by the family and other claims about the case will remain under investigation.
