IIT Bombay Suicide Case: The Mumbai Police Crime Branch investigators are piecing together the final hours of Sahil Wakode, a second-year IIT Bombay student, using CCTV footage from across the Powai campus. The 22-year-old was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18, hours after being allegedly caught using ChatGPT during a mid-semester exam, an official said on Tuesday (September 22, 2026).

Family members have alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination, sparking student protests and an FIR against a professor.

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What the Footage Shows?

Cameras captured Wakode in the examination hall between 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm, about fifteen minutes before the paper ended. He was seen bending down and looking into his pocket, after which a professor questioned him and led him outside the hall, away from other students.

Tracing the Final Walk

Investigators say Wakode was then recorded walking across the campus before entering his hostel room at roughly 1:25 pm. He did not leave the room again. Crime Branch officials are now correlating footage from the exam hall, campus pathways, and hostel corridors to reconstruct a complete timeline of events leading up to his death.

Professor Named in FIR

Following a complaint from Wakode's parents, Powai Police registered an FIR invoking Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which addresses abetment of suicide, along with provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The professor involved in questioning Wakode has been named as an accused and has reportedly been suspended from his deanship role. The case has been transferred to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Detection).

Investigation Moving Forward

The Crime Branch is expected to summon the professor and other witnesses for formal questioning as the probe continues. Meanwhile, protests by IIT Bombay students have kept pressure on the administration to address allegations of caste-based discrimination on campus.

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Note: This report concerns a sensitive topic involving suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, India's KIRAN mental health helpline (1800-599-0019) is available 24/7, and I'm happy to help find further support resources if needed.