Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Locked Phone Central to IIT Bombay Student Death Probe
Sahil Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
Earlier that day, he was allegedly stopped during an exam over using a phone to access ChatGPT.
Police are investigating what happened before his death.
They have spoken to 20 students and staff members.
They are also checking cameras, his laptop, phone records and other evidence.
His iPhone 17 is locked, so investigators cannot yet read its calls or messages.
His parents say he faced caste-based harassment and are seeking action.
IIT Bombay apologized for earlier statements that connected his death to the exam incident before the investigation was complete.
Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old IIT Bombay student, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18.
Investigators are examining whether an examination incident involving alleged ChatGPT use preceded his death.
The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from 20 students and staff members and is reviewing CCTV, laptop evidence and call records.
Wakode’s iPhone 17 remains inaccessible because it is protected by a pattern lock and encrypted data.
His parents allege caste-based harassment, while IIT Bombay apologized for prematurely linking his death to the examination incident.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, his parents, IIT Bombay, Mumbai Crime Branch investigators, faculty member Suryanarayana Doolla and Union minister Ramdas Athawale are involved in the case.
- What
- The death of an IIT Bombay student is being investigated alongside allegations of examination misconduct and caste-based harassment.
- When
- Wakode was found dead on September 18; investigators are reconstructing the events of that day.
- Where
- Wakode was found in his hostel room at IIT Bombay in Mumbai; his parents staged a hunger strike at Azad Maidan.
- Why
- Investigators are seeking to determine what happened before Wakode’s death, including the examination incident, his movements and his communications.
Family’s allegations and demands
Institutional and investigative position
Cause and circumstances of death
Family’s allegations and demands
Wakode’s parents allege that caste-based harassment and torment contributed to his death and are seeking action against those they blame.
Institutional and investigative position
The circumstances remain under investigation, and IIT Bombay said its earlier statements linking the death to the examination incident were premature.
Examination incident
Family’s allegations and demands
Wakode’s father questioned why the full examination video had not been released and said the matter should be determined through the investigation.
Institutional and investigative position
IIT Bombay earlier said Wakode had been caught using ChatGPT during the examination, while a viral clip appears to show a student leaving the hall; the student’s identity cannot be independently established from the clip.
Accountability during the investigation
Family’s allegations and demands
Wakode’s parents began a hunger strike demanding action against his alleged tormentors, and Ramdas Athawale called for those responsible to face action.
Institutional and investigative position
Suryanarayana Doolla, named in a police case alleging abetment to suicide on caste-discrimination grounds, was sent on leave to facilitate an impartial probe; his statement had not yet been recorded.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year student in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering
- Date of death
- September 18
- Phone
- An iPhone 17 secured with a pattern lock and encrypted data
- Statements recorded
- The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from 20 students and staff members
- Evidence examined
- The phone, laptop, examination-hall and campus CCTV footage, call records and witness statements
- Movement timeline
- Wakode reportedly left the examination hall at 12:38 p.m. and reached his hostel room at 1:25 p.m.
- Institutional response
- IIT Bombay apologized for earlier statements and constituted a 10-member committee
