CCTV captures Sahil Wakode being questioned and leaving IIT Bombay exam hall before his death

Fresh CCTV footage from IIT Bombay has emerged as investigators examine the sequence of events surrounding the death of 22-year-old BTech student Sahil Wakode on September 18. The footage shows Sahil being questioned during an examination and subsequently being taken out of the examination hall between around 12.30 pm and 12.45 pm.

The Mumbai Crime Branch is examining the footage as part of its investigation into Sahil's death, along with CCTV recordings from other parts of the campus and his hostel. Investigators are seeking to establish his movements after he left the examination venue and reached his hostel room.

Sahil, a second-year student in IIT Bombay's Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room later that day. Police have registered a case following a complaint by his family, including provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case has since been transferred to the Crime Branch. The family's allegations remain under investigation.

CCTV trail becomes central to investigation

The newly examined footage covers the examination hall and nearby corridors. According to reports, Sahil was questioned during the examination before being taken out of the hall. Investigators are now reviewing CCTV footage across the IIT Bombay campus to establish what happened between his departure from the examination venue and his return to the hostel.

According to the investigation reported so far, Sahil reached his hostel room at around 1.25 pm. Crime Branch officers are examining the available footage to establish his movements during this period.

The Crime Branch has also searched Sahil's hostel room and carried out a panchnama as part of the investigation. Reports said no suicide note had been recovered from the room.

Exam incident and competing accounts

The examination incident has become a key part of the investigation. IIT Bombay had initially said Sahil was found using a mobile phone during the examination and had allegedly uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

The institute subsequently apologised for its earlier communication, saying it was inappropriate to characterise the circumstances preceding Sahil's death before they had been established through an investigation. IIT Bombay has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him and had previously said that the instructor and Head of Department counselled him after the incident.

Students had alleged that Sahil faced the possibility of suspension following the examination incident, while the institute said he had been assured that the episode would not affect his academic career. The newly surfaced CCTV footage is now being examined alongside these accounts.

Sahil's family has alleged that he faced caste-based harassment and mental distress. His father named Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and others in a police complaint, alleging caste-based remarks and harassment. These allegations have not been established by the investigation. IIT Bombay has said Sahil had not submitted a complaint of caste discrimination to the administration or its SC/ST Cell.

Faculty forum backs Professor Doolla

Professor Doolla, who was the invigilator during the examination, was removed from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs amid the ongoing investigation. He continues to serve as a faculty member. IIT Bombay said the administrative change was intended to facilitate an independent inquiry.

The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has meanwhile backed Doolla, saying he was performing his duties as an invigilator and had followed the institute's prescribed procedure after allegedly detecting academic malpractice. The forum has defended his academic record and announced a campus march in his support.

Student representatives, however, have said their position was not based on presuming Doolla's guilt. They said they wanted him relieved of his administrative responsibilities while the investigation continued, describing the step as a precaution intended to protect the independence of the inquiry.

The developments have resulted in protests on campus, with students seeking an impartial investigation and broader institutional reforms. Faculty members have also held a march in support of Doolla.

Students seek reforms through 18-point charter

The protests have also resulted in an 18-point charter of demands being submitted to IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare. The demands include an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sahil's death, changes to disciplinary procedures, greater student representation, improved counselling and mental-health services, faculty sensitisation programmes and a task force involving students, faculty members, mental-health professionals and external experts.

Student representatives have also sought time-bound action on their demands, including an interim report by September 30 and a final report by October 15.

The charter followed discussions between students and the institute's administration. Reports said Kedare acknowledged and signed the demands and agreed to work towards their implementation within specified timelines.

Students have clarified that the protests are not intended to defend cheating or academic misconduct. They said the agitation is focused on institutional processes, student welfare, accountability and an impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding Sahil's death.

The case has also revived wider concerns about student welfare and caste-related allegations at IIT Bombay. It comes three years after the death of Darshan Solanki, which had triggered a separate debate over caste discrimination at the institute.

The Mumbai Crime Branch is continuing to examine CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus and hostel as it reconstructs Sahil's movements on September 18. The circumstances surrounding his death and the allegations made by his family remain under investigation.