Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Mumbai Crime Branch Seeks IIT Bombay Documents in Student Death Probe
Police in Mumbai are investigating the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode.
They have asked the institute for documents, including an apology Sahil allegedly wrote after using ChatGPT during an exam.
Police questioned the institute’s director for eight hours and a professor for nearly ten hours.
They have also spoken with more than 50 people.
Sahil’s electronic devices have been sent to a laboratory so investigators can try to retrieve information from them.
Sahil’s father says his son faced caste-based abuse, and police are investigating that allegation.
Sahil’s parents are asking for the professor and director to be arrested.
The investigation is continuing, and the article does not report a final finding.
Mumbai Crime Branch investigators requested documents from IIT Bombay, including Sahil Wakode’s alleged written apology after he was caught using ChatGPT during an exam.
The branch recorded statements from IIT Bombay Director Shirish Kedare and professor Suryanarayana Doolla; Kedare was questioned for eight hours and Doolla for nearly ten.
Police have recorded statements from more than 50 people and sent Wakode’s two mobile phones, laptop and tablet to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina.
Wakode’s father alleged his son faced caste-based abuse for about three months and said Wakode feared being implicated in a false case; the allegations are under investigation.
Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18; his parents are demanding the arrest of Doolla and Kedare.
- Who
- Mumbai Crime Branch investigators; the case concerns IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, with statements recorded from Director Shirish Kedare and professor Suryanarayana Doolla.
- What
- Investigators are seeking institute documents and examining witness statements and electronic devices in a probe into Wakode’s death and alleged abetment of suicide.
- When
- Wakode was found dead on September 18; Kedare was questioned on Friday and Doolla on Thursday, with no year specified.
- Where
- IIT Bombay in Mumbai; Wakode was found in his hostel room.
- Why
- Investigators are examining the events before Wakode’s death, including the alleged exam incident and his father’s allegations of caste-based abuse.
Family’s allegations
Investigative status
Alleged caste-based abuse
Family’s allegations
Wakode’s father alleged his son was subjected to caste-based abuse for around three months and said the treatment was allegedly at the director’s behest.
Investigative status
The Crime Branch is investigating the allegations; the article reports no final finding or response from the accused officials.
Calls for arrests
Family’s allegations
Wakode’s parents are demanding the arrest of professor Suryanarayana Doolla and director Shirish Kedare.
Investigative status
Investigators are reviewing statements, technical evidence and requested documents before deciding on further action.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student
- Date found
- September 18; the article does not specify the year
- Questioning
- Director Shirish Kedare was questioned for eight hours; professor Suryanarayana Doolla for nearly ten hours
- Statements
- More than 50 people have had statements recorded
- Devices sent for examination
- Two mobile phones, a laptop and a tablet were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina
- Document sought
- An alleged written apology submitted after Wakode was caught using ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination
- Institute inquiry
- The IIT Bombay Board formed a 10-member committee to inquire into the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death