11 hrs ago
Police Probe IIT Bombay Student’s Death After Exam Incident
Sahil Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
On September 18, he was allegedly caught using a phone during a Thermodynamics exam.
Police said the phone may have been used to access ChatGPT.
After leaving the exam, Sahil called several friends and reportedly said he was sorry about what happened.
He was later found dead in his hostel room.
His parents say he faced caste-based harassment at the institute.
IIT Bombay denies those allegations.
Police are checking messages, phone records, CCTV video and witness statements to understand what happened, but they have not decided what caused his death.
Sahil Wakode, 22, was found hanging in his IIT Bombay hostel room on September 18, hours after leaving an examination.
Police said Wakode called several friends and told one female friend he regretted allegedly using his phone to access ChatGPT during a Thermodynamics exam.
Investigators have taken statements from between 20 and more than 25 students, faculty members, invigilators and hostel staff, according to differing reports.
The Crime Branch is examining phone data, CCTV footage and forensic evidence, including Wakode’s iPhone and WhatsApp account information.
Wakode’s parents allege caste-based harassment involving institute officials, while IIT Bombay denies the allegations and police have reached no conclusion about what contributed to his death.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year IIT Bombay student; Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch is investigating his death.
- What
- Wakode was found dead after an alleged exam-misconduct incident, while police also investigate his parents’ allegations of caste-based harassment.
- Where
- The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay campus in Mumbai, including the examination hall and Wakode’s hostel room; his father also protested at Azad Maidan.
- When
- September 18; the Crime Branch took over the investigation on September 19, and Wakode’s parents met investigators on September 25.
- Why
- Police are reconstructing Wakode’s final hours and determining whether the exam incident, alleged caste-based harassment or another circumstance contributed to his death.
Family Allegations
Institute and Investigative Position
Caste-based harassment
Family Allegations
Wakode’s parents allege that he faced casteist abuse and harassment at IIT Bombay, and his father said Wakode feared being implicated in a false case.
Institute and Investigative Position
IIT Bombay has denied the caste-discrimination allegations. Police are examining them but have not reached a conclusion.
Role of the exam incident
Family Allegations
The family’s allegations suggest that circumstances at the institute, rather than only the exam episode, may have contributed to Wakode’s distress.
Institute and Investigative Position
Police are investigating reports that Wakode was caught using a phone during the exam, later regretted the incident and discussed his performance with friends, but say the available footage does not establish what happened after he left the hall.
Public communication and accountability
Family Allegations
Wakode’s family has held protests and called for justice and punishment for those responsible.
Institute and Investigative Position
IIT Bombay apologized for earlier communication linking Wakode’s death to the exam incident and alleged ChatGPT use, while the Crime Branch continues reviewing witness and technical evidence.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year student in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering
- Date of death
- September 18
- Exam incident
- Police and IIT Bombay said Wakode was caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester Thermodynamics examination; reports said it was used to access ChatGPT
- Reported calls
- Police said Wakode called several friends afterward and reportedly expressed regret to a female friend
- Investigation evidence
- Investigators are examining witness statements, phone records, CCTV footage and other electronic evidence
- Forensic examination
- Wakode’s iPhone was sent to the Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory, and police requested relevant WhatsApp account information
- Family complaint
- Wakode’s parents allege caste-based harassment; an FIR named Professor Suryanarayana Doolla in an allegation of abetment to suicide on caste-discrimination grounds
Quotes
Ravindra Wakode
Father of Sahil Wakode, protesting over his son’s death and alleged caste discrimination
“I do not care, even if I get arrested. My son should get justice constitutionally. This is the state of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar. I will start my sit-in protest at Azad Maidan. I will continue my fight for justice.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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