IIT Bombay Student Death: Crime Branch Examines CCTV Footage of Sahil Wakode Leaving Exam Hall

Fresh CCTV footage has emerged in the case involving the death of 22-year-old IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode. The footage shows Sahil being questioned and subsequently taken out of an examination hall after he was allegedly found using a mobile phone during the examination.

According to sources, the CCTV cameras inside the examination hall and nearby corridors captured events between approximately 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm on September 18, when the examination was nearing its end. The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the footage as part of its investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sahil's death.

Crime Branch follows Sahil's movements

CCTV footage from various parts of the IIT Mumbai campus is also being looked into to map Sahil's movements after he walked out of the examination hall.

Based on the investigation that was reported up to now, Sahil went to his hostel room around 1:25 pm. The investigation is underway into various videos from the campus and hostel to help them piece together what might have happened between his leaving the examination hall till coming to his room.

Protest erupts at-IIT Bombay over death of Sahil

On September 18, the body of second year B.Tech student Sahil from IIT Bombay's Department of Energy Science and Engineering was discovered dead in his hostel room.

His death has sparked protests at the IIT, Bombay. His family has alleged harassment based on caste and a case has been registered by Mumbai Police on the grounds of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) legislation. The investigation was later handed over to the Crime Branch. The family's claims have not been substantiated.

At first, IIT Bombay had stated that Sahil was spotted using a mobile during the exam and was trying to consult the question paper on ai for the answers. Later the institute apologized for their communication and stated that it was not right to label the situation leading up to his death, until the investigation us completed and had established facts.

In the meantime, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has shown support for Professor Suryanarayana Doolla who was the invigilator during the examination.

The Faculty Forum stressed that Doolla was charged as an invigilator and had adhered to the prescribed academic malpractice procedure of the institute after allegedly spotting academic misconduct. It also stated that he has been suspended from his duties as Dean of the Administrative Affairs to conduct an independent inquiry into the situation of Sahil's death at the college.

The Forum has also backed Doolla's academic record and announced a walkout in support of Doolla on the campus as the students continue to protest.

The protests have also led students to present an 18-point charter of demands to the Director of IIT Bombay, Prof. Shireesh Kedare.

The demands include the independent investigation of Sahil's death, changes in disciplinary practices, more student representation, better counselling and mental-health facilities, faculty sensitisation programs, and the creation of a task force with student, faculty, mental-health and outside experts.

The student representatives have requested an interim report by Sept. 30 and a final report by Oct. 15.

Mumbai Crime Branch is still analysing CCTV footage from examination hall, campus and hostel to try to recreate the events of September 18. The investigation is ongoing, and the circumstances surrounding Sahil Wakode's death have not yet been conclusively established.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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