He said he had 'made a mistake': What IIT-B student told friend hours before death

The Mumbai Police crime branch is examining the events surrounding the death of a 22-year-old IIT-Bombay student who was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was caught copying during an examination.

Investigators have so far recorded statements from more than 25 people, including students and hostel staff, as part of the probe. Some of those questioned were friends who spoke to the student after the examination incident, according to a crime branch officer.

The student was caught copying at around 12.40 pm on September 18. He remained at the hostel for the next few hours and spoke to some friends before he was found dead later that evening.

Student spoke to female friend

According to police, the student spoke to a female friend at around 2.30 pm and expressed regret about what had happened during the examination.

“He told her that he had made a mistake and his thermodynamics paper had not gone well, and now this (copying episode) has happened,” said the officer.

Police are now examining the student's digital devices and communications to establish what happened during those crucial hours.

His iPhone has been sent to the Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. Investigators are trying to access its contents and may approach Apple for assistance if the forensic laboratory is unable to unlock the device.

The police have also sought information from WhatsApp linked to the student's account.

CCTV footage sent for forensic analysis

Investigators are also examining CCTV footage from the institute. The recordings have been sent to the Kalina forensic laboratory for analysis, along with the required certification under the Information Technology Act so that the footage can be used as evidence in court.

Police said the digital and CCTV evidence could help establish the sequence of events surrounding the examination incident.

Probe into family’s harassment allegations

The investigation is also looking into allegations made by the student's family of caste-based harassment.

IIT-Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla, whom the family has accused of caste-based harassment, has been named as an accused in the FIR registered by Powai police on the complaint of the student's father.

The crime branch has not yet recorded Doolla's statement as part of its investigation.