Mumbai: The death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, has led to a wider police investigation, student protests and questions about the institute’s handling of an examination-related incident. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has now taken over the investigation, with investigators examining digital evidence, including the student’s mobile phone, as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
It is important to clarify that the current case is being investigated as an alleged abetment-of-suicide case, not as an established murder. The police case followed allegations made by Wakode’s family, while the circumstances leading to his death remain under investigation.
What Happened at IIT Bombay?
Wakode, who was from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, was a second-year student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. He died on September 18 after an incident during a mid-semester examination earlier that day.
According to reports, he was allegedly found using a mobile phone during the examination and was accused of using an AI platform to seek answers. IIT Bombay said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him and that he had been counselled by faculty members. The institute also said he had been assured that the incident would not damage his academic career.
The sequence of events has become central to the investigation because of the short period between the examination incident and Wakode’s death.
FIR Registered Against Professor
Following a complaint by Wakode’s father, Powai police registered an FIR involving Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and others. The case includes provisions concerning alleged abetment of suicide and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The family has alleged that Wakode experienced caste-based harassment and mental pressure.
The allegations are not established facts. IIT Bombay has said that its SC/ST Students and Staff Cell had not received a complaint from Wakode relating to caste discrimination before his death. The institute has said it will cooperate with the police investigation.
The Crime Branch will now examine the competing accounts and available evidence before drawing conclusions.
Crime Branch Examines Digital Evidence
The transfer of the case to the Mumbai Crime Branch is one of the most significant developments so far.
Investigators are examining Wakode’s phone, CCTV footage and other digital evidence as part of the probe. These materials could help establish a timeline of events before and after the examination and clarify communications relevant to the case.
Police had not announced an arrest as of the latest reports, and investigators are still collecting evidence.
The investigation will also need to determine whether the allegations made by the family are supported by independent evidence and whether any conduct contributed legally to the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
IIT Bombay Suspends Dean’s Administrative Role
Amid growing protests, IIT Bombay removed Professor Doolla from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs with immediate effect. The institute said that further action would depend on the investigation and due process. Doolla had been the invigilator during the examination involving Wakode.
The development followed growing demands from students for accountability and a broader review of campus procedures.
At the same time, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has expressed support for Doolla and said he had acted according to established academic procedures. This reflects the differing accounts now being examined as part of the investigation.
IIT Bombay Apologises for Earlier Statement
The institute has also apologised for its earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
IIT Bombay acknowledged that it was inappropriate to present details about the incident before the investigation was completed. The apology came after students criticised the administration for publicly discussing the examination episode and alleged AI use.
The institute has since said that the circumstances surrounding the death are still being investigated by the appropriate authorities.
Student Protests Grow on Campus
The death triggered several days of protests at the Powai campus. Students demanded an independent investigation, stronger mental-health support, improvements in grievance redressal and changes to disciplinary procedures.
After a late-night meeting on September 20, IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter presented by protesting students. The demands include stronger counselling services, greater transparency, faculty sensitisation, student representation and an independent review of the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
Students have also sought time-bound reporting on the investigation, including an interim report and a final report later in the year.
Broader Questions About Student Welfare
The incident has prompted a wider debate about academic pressure, disciplinary processes and student welfare at premier educational institutions.
Student groups are asking whether institutions need stronger systems for handling examination disputes and whether students should have easier access to counselling and independent grievance mechanisms.
IIT Bombay already has a Student Wellness Centre and a 24-hour campus emergency system, according to its official website. The current protests have nevertheless increased demands for stronger and more accessible mental-health support.
What Happens Next?
The IIT Bombay Crime Branch investigation is now the central focus. Investigators are expected to examine digital records, CCTV footage, witness statements, the examination episode and the allegations made by Wakode’s family.
The police will ultimately have to determine whether the evidence supports the charges in the FIR and whether further legal action is warranted.
For IIT Bombay, the issue is also about restoring confidence among students and addressing concerns raised during the protests. The institute has committed to engaging with students on the 18-point charter, while the investigation continues.
At present, the most important distinction is between allegations and established facts. The Crime Branch investigation is ongoing, and no final conclusion has been reached about the causes or responsibilities surrounding Sahil Wakode’s death.
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