The Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, with investigators examining his mobile phone and other digital evidence as part of the probe into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Wakode, a second-year student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.
The case has since led to protests on the Powai campus, while Wakode's parents have alleged that he faced caste-based harassment and mental harassment before his death. Police have registered a case of alleged abetment of suicide and invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Crime Branch examines phone, other evidence
Investigators are conducting a technical examination of Wakode's seized mobile phone to look for a suicide note or other material that could help establish the circumstances preceding his death.
The Crime Branch is also inspecting the scene at Hostel No. 4 on the IIT Bombay campus and examining available evidence, including CCTV footage and other digital material. A senior police officer of ACP rank is leading the investigation.
No suicide note was found in the hostel room, according to the investigation details reported so far.
Police are also expected to question people named in the FIR as the investigation progresses. Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was the course instructor and invigilator during the examination, has been named in the case based on the complaint lodged by Wakode's parents.
Family alleges caste-based harassment
Wakode's parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based harassment and mental harassment by faculty members in the months before his death.
The FIR registered by Powai police names Doolla along with other senior officials and includes provisions of the BNS relating to alleged abetment of suicide as well as the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. These allegations are now part of the Crime Branch investigation and have not been established.
IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare has denied the allegations of caste-based discrimination, saying there was no substance to the claim and that he was not aware of any earlier complaint by Wakode regarding caste-based discrimination.
IIT Bombay apologises over earlier statement
The investigation has also prompted IIT Bombay to withdraw from characterising the events that preceded Wakode's death before they are established through the official probe.
"We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil. The details and circumstances leading up to the incident remain subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities. In view of the ongoing investigation, it was inappropriate to have set out or characterised details relating to the events preceding his demise before they had been duly established through the appropriate investigative process."
The institute had earlier said Wakode was found using a mobile phone during an examination and had allegedly uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT. It subsequently said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him and that the matter had been discussed with the instructor, faculty adviser and Head of Department.
Faculty Forum backs professor
Amid the controversy, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has expressed grief over Wakode's death and extended support to Professor Doolla.
The Forum said Doolla was performing his duties in accordance with academic policies approved by the institute's Senate and currently in force. It also expressed concern that his professional reputation was being affected by the allegations.
According to the Forum, a mid-term examination was conducted on September 18 from 11 am to 1 pm. It said Doolla, who was the course instructor and invigilator, observed a student allegedly committing an academic irregularity involving possession and use of a smartphone during the examination.
The Forum said Doolla reported the incident to the institute authorities in accordance with established procedure.
Protests continue on IIT Bombay campus
The Crime Branch investigation comes amid continued protests by students and growing demands for an independent inquiry into Wakode's death.
Students have questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and sought accountability, while the institute has maintained that the matter is under investigation and that it will cooperate with the authorities.
The situation remained tense on campus on Sunday, with police deployment increased as protests continued. Wakode's final rites were conducted in his hometown of Yavatmal on Sunday after his family claimed his body following the post-mortem examination.
The Crime Branch will now examine the digital and other evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding Wakode's death.
(With inputs from IANS)
* This article was originally published here
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