5 hrs ago
IIT Bombay Student Death Probe Records 20 Statements
Police are investigating the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode.
They have recorded statements from about 20 people, including students, teachers and hostel workers.
Investigators are trying to understand what happened during an examination and afterward.
They are also studying CCTV footage from the campus.
Sahil’s phone is locked with a pattern, so police cannot yet read most of it.
His laptop has been sent for testing.
Sahil’s parents say he faced caste discrimination and harassment, but these claims have not been proven.
The family is protesting, while the police, the NCSC and IIT Bombay are carrying out separate investigations.
Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from about 20 students, teachers, institute staff and hostel personnel.
Investigators are reconstructing Sahil Wakode’s final hours using examination-hall accounts, CCTV footage and electronic devices.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, named as an accused by Wakode’s family, has not yet given a statement, according to sources.
Wakode’s pattern-locked phone remains largely inaccessible, while his laptop has been sent for forensic examination.
His family is protesting alleged caste discrimination and harassment as IIT Bombay, the NCSC and an internal panel conduct separate inquiries.
- Who
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, his parents, Mumbai Crime Branch investigators, IIT Bombay personnel, the NCSC and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.
- What
- Authorities are investigating Wakode’s death and have recorded about 20 statements while examining CCTV footage and electronic evidence.
- Where
- The investigation centers on IIT Bombay in Mumbai; the family also protested at Azad Maidan.
- When
- Wakode died on September 18; the family’s hunger strike began on September 24, and the statements were reported as of September 25.
- Why
- The investigation follows Wakode’s death and family allegations of caste-based discrimination, harassment and responsibility for circumstances preceding his death.
Family and Protesters
Institutional and Investigative Responses
Alleged caste discrimination and harassment
Family and Protesters
Wakode’s parents allege that he faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay and demand action against those they hold responsible.
Institutional and Investigative Responses
The allegations remain under investigation; the Mumbai Crime Branch, the NCSC and IIT Bombay’s internal panel are examining them, with no police finding establishing them reported.
Accountability and investigation
Family and Protesters
The family is demanding action against named individuals, preservation and examination of CCTV and electronic evidence, and an independent central-agency probe.
Institutional and Investigative Responses
The Mumbai Crime Branch says it is examining all possible angles, while IIT Bombay has created a separate 10-member internal committee and issued an apology over an earlier communication.
Interpretation of examination footage
Family and Protesters
The family’s concerns include events surrounding Wakode being asked to leave the examination hall and what happened afterward.
Institutional and Investigative Responses
Investigators are treating footage showing Wakode looking toward his lap or pocket and later leaving with Professor Doolla as evidence for reconstructing a timeline, not as proof of the cause of death.
Key facts
- Deceased student
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student at IIT Bombay
- Statements recorded
- About 20 people
- Investigating agency
- Mumbai Crime Branch
- Key evidence
- Examination-hall and campus CCTV footage, a pattern-locked phone and a laptop sent for forensic examination
- Professor’s status
- Suryanarayana Doolla has not yet had his statement recorded and was asked to proceed on leave
- Family’s protest
- Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began an indefinite hunger strike on September 24
- Internal inquiry
- IIT Bombay formed a 10-member committee led by Professor Ramesh Venkateswaran
- Examination changes
- Mid-semester exams scheduled for September 26 and 27 were postponed to October 10 and 11
Sources
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