CCTV footage key to probe into IIT-Bombay student’s death

Mumbai, Sep 22 : CCTV footage from the IIT-Bombay campus has emerged as a key piece of evidence in the investigation into the death of 22-year-old BTech student Sahil Ravindra Wakode, who allegedly died by suicide on September 18, officials said.

Wakode, a second-year student in the Energy Science and Engineering department and a native of Yavatmal, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room at Hostel No. 4 on the IIT-Bombay campus in Powai.

According to the institute’s initial statement, Wakode was caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and allegedly uploading the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers. Examination supervisor Professor Suryanarayan Dulla reportedly questioned him and told him that the incident would not affect his career. The institute had also stated that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.

Police are now examining CCTV footage from the examination hall, classrooms and hostel lobbies to reconstruct Wakode’s movements on September 18.

Preliminary examination of the footage reportedly shows Wakode bending slightly and looking at something in his pocket between around 12.30 pm and 12.45 pm, shortly before the examination ended at 1 pm. The footage also allegedly shows the professor questioning him and taking him away from the other students.

Investigators have also examined CCTV footage covering the route from the examination hall to the hostel. According to the probe, Wakode reached his hostel room at around 1.25 pm and was not seen leaving the room thereafter. His body was subsequently found after the room was opened.

The investigation is being transferred from Powai police to the Mumbai Crime Branch. A team led by ACP Dharmveer Bansode conducted a detailed search of Wakode’s hostel room on Monday and prepared a panchnama. Investigators are also checking whether he left behind any note.

Police said no suicide note has so far been recovered. His mobile phone and other digital devices have been seized and are being examined as part of the investigation.

Wakode belonged to a Scheduled Caste community. Following his death, his parents alleged that he had faced caste discrimination, harassment and pressure. A complaint was subsequently lodged, following which an FIR was registered under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to abetment of suicide, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The complaint names Professor Dulla, the institute director and other officials.

The student’s parents had also protested over what they described as a delay in shifting his body to a hospital after the incident.

Wakode’s death triggered protests by students on the IIT-Bombay campus. Following the protests, IIT-Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare agreed to 18 demands raised by students, including an independent inquiry into the incident, strengthening of mental-health services and improvements to the grievance-redressal mechanism.

The institute subsequently removed Professor Dulla from his position as Dean with immediate effect and expressed regret over its earlier statement concerning the incident. The IIT-Bombay faculty association, however, has decided to support Dulla.

The Crime Branch investigation is now focusing on CCTV footage, digital evidence and other material to establish the sequence of events and circumstances leading up to Wakode’s death.