IIT Bombay death case: Mumbai crime branch scans CCTVs, to reconstruct student's final hours

Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch, which has commenced its probe into the death by suicide of Sahil Wakode (20), a second-year student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay, plans to reconstruct the sequence of events through digital and forensic investigations, as well as statements of students and professors, before summoning those named in the FIR, sources in the know told ET.

Sahil's mobile phone, recovered from his hostel room, has been sent for forensic examination, while a clone of the data on the device has been taken for investigation. The police are also examining CCTV footage to reconstruct the sequence of events, a senior police officer said. "The forensic and technical investigation will ascertain whether the student had indeed uploaded the question paper on an AI platform. It will also ascertain whether Sahil was subjected to casteist slurs, as alleged by his parents, and whether he discussed this with anyone, including his family, friends, teachers or classmates," the officer added.

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According to sources, CCTV footage from the examination hall and hostel is also being studied. "The Friday examination was scheduled to end at 1 pm. In one footage recorded between 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm, just minutes before the examination was to conclude, the student can be seen bending slightly and peering at something in his pocket. Thereafter, the professor is seen questioning him and subsequently taking him away from the other students," a senior official said.