The friend reportedly told investigators that Sahil spoke about his Thermodynamics examination during their conversation.
Read Full StoryThe friend also told police that during the phone conversation, 22-year-old Sahil allegedly mentioned that he had been caught cheating during the examination.
STATEMENTS OF STUDENTS, STAFF RECORDEDThe Crime Branch has so far recorded statements from 20 people as part of the investigation, according to police.
Police are also examining Sahil's phone records and conversations with friends.
PROBE INTO SAHIL WAKODE'S DEATHThe Crime Branch took over the investigation on September 19.
A new development has emerged in the investigation into IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode's death by suicide. The Crime Branch has recorded the statement of one of his friends, who, according to police, was the last person to speak with him over the phone.
The friend reportedly told investigators that Sahil spoke about his Thermodynamics examination during their conversation. According to the statement, Sahil was concerned that the exam had not gone as expected and was anxious about his performance as he wanted to score well.
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The friend also told police that during the phone conversation, 22-year-old Sahil allegedly mentioned that he had been caught cheating during the examination. The allegation has not been independently verified and remains part of the ongoing investigation. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the examination and the events that followed as they piece together the sequence of events before his death.
STATEMENTS OF STUDENTS, STAFF RECORDED
The Crime Branch has so far recorded statements from 20 people as part of the investigation, according to police. Those questioned include students who were present during the examination, invigilators and administrative officials. Investigators are examining accounts from people who interacted with Sahil in the hours leading up to his death.
Police are also examining Sahil's phone records and conversations with friends. His mobile phone is secured with a pattern lock, and forensic experts are trying to access the device. Several missed-call notifications were reportedly visible on the screen, which investigators are examining as part of their effort to establish a timeline.
The Crime Branch is also examining CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus and hostel to reconstruct Sahil's movements and establish the sequence of events before his death.
WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 18?
Sahil Wakode, a student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay, left the examination hall on September 18 and headed back to his hostel room, according to police. The institute had initially said that Sahil was caught using ChatGPT on his mobile phone during the examination.
He was later found dead inside his hostel room after he did not respond to attempts to reach him. The circumstances surrounding the examination have since become a key part of the Crime Branch's investigation, with police examining witness accounts and CCTV footage to reconstruct the sequence of events before and after Sahil left the examination hall.
CASTE DISCRIMINATION ALLEGATIONS
Sahil's parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay and have sought action against those they hold responsible. Based on their complaint, Professor Suryanarayan Doolla was named in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide on grounds of caste discrimination. Doolla has been sent on leave to facilitate the investigation.
IIT Bombay has denied the caste-based discrimination allegations. The institute has also apologised twice over its earlier communication describing Sahil's death as occurring hours after he was allegedly caught using ChatGPT during an examination.
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The allegations surrounding caste discrimination, the examination incident and the circumstances immediately preceding Sahil's death are being examined as part of the ongoing probe. No conclusion has been reached on whether any of these factors caused or contributed to his death.
PROBE INTO SAHIL WAKODE'S DEATH
The Crime Branch took over the investigation on September 19. Investigators are examining statements from students, faculty members and other witnesses, along with CCTV footage, phone records and other electronic evidence, to establish a detailed timeline of events.
Sahil's parents also met Crime Branch officials on September 25, while Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale visited IIT Bombay and called for a thorough investigation into the student's death.
As the probe continues, investigators are piecing together Sahil's final hours through witness accounts, CCTV footage and digital evidence. Police are yet to establish whether the examination incident or any other factor was linked to his death.
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