The death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has brought fresh focus on what happened inside an examination hall on 18 September and what followed in the hours before his death.
New CCTV footage from the exam hall has now surfaced, showing Wakode’s movements shortly before he left the examination. At the same time, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch is examining CCTV footage, digital evidence and witness statements as it reconstructs his final hours.
The case has also raised allegations of caste-based discrimination from Wakode’s family, while IIT Bombay has denied receiving any prior complaint from him about caste discrimination. The institute has also apologised for an earlier statement linking Wakode to the use of ChatGPT during the examination.
Here is what is known so far.
The CCTV Footage: What Does It Show?
The footage relates to the period between around 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm on 18 September, when Wakode was taking a mid-semester examination.
According to The Times of India, Wakode can be seen sitting on the first bench. He bends down and appears to look at something in his pocket.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was invigilating the examination, then approaches him and questions him.
The footage shows Wakode getting up, collecting his belongings and preparing to leave the examination hall. He also appears to hand something to the professor, although the professor is outside the camera frame at that point.
Other CCTV footage is being examined to establish what happened after Wakode left the hall.
According to police, Wakode moved through the campus and reached his hostel room at around 1:25 pm. Investigators said he did not leave the room afterwards. He was later found dead in the room.
The footage does not by itself establish what was said between Wakode and the professor or what impact the examination incident had on him. Police are investigating those questions separately.
IIT Bombay case: CCTV footage from the examination hall has surfaced. Sahil Wakode is seen being taken outside the examination hall by Prof. #Suryanarayanadoolla after being caught cheating in the exam.#IITBombay #SahilWakode #CCTV #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/E5LekwfkDF
— Rajesh kumar (@journorajeshk) September 23, 2026
What Are The Police Doing?
The investigation was initially handled by Powai Police before being transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
An FIR was registered following a complaint by Wakode’s father. It includes allegations of abetment to suicide and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Professor Doolla is among those named in the FIR.
The Crime Branch has collected CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus and hostel areas.
Investigators have also recorded statements from students who were close to Wakode. The Crime Branch was yet to record Doolla’s statement as of 23 September, with officers first collecting digital evidence and speaking to other witnesses.
Police are also examining the allegations made by Wakode’s parents that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay.
The institute has said its SC/ST cell and administration had not received a complaint from Wakode before his death.
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Why Is The Darshan Solanki Case Being Mentioned?
Wakode’s death has brought back memories of another IIT Bombay student death involving allegations of caste discrimination.
Darshan Solanki, an 18-year-old first-year BTech student, died by suicide at IIT Bombay in February 2023.
His family alleged that he faced caste-based discrimination. An IIT Bombay committee’s interim report at the time did not find specific evidence of caste discrimination and pointed to his academic performance as a significant factor.
The police investigation also examined the role of fellow student Arman Khatri. Khatri was arrested in the case, but a Mumbai court later granted him bail, observing that the material before it did not show that he had harassed Solanki on the ground of caste or instigated him to die by suicide.
At the same time, the police chargesheet recorded statements from Solanki’s family saying that he had spoken to them about caste-based discrimination on campus.
That earlier case is relevant to the current controversy because both cases involve student deaths at IIT Bombay and allegations concerning caste discrimination. However, the facts and investigations in the two cases are separate.
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What Happens Next?
For the Wakode case, investigators are now working to establish a detailed timeline from the examination hall to his hostel room.
The CCTV footage is one part of that process. Statements from students, faculty and other witnesses, along with digital and other evidence, will also be examined.
The key questions for the investigation include what happened during the examination, what interaction took place between Wakode and the invigilator, what happened after he left the hall, and whether the allegations made by his family are supported by evidence.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also spoken to Wakode’s parents over a video call and assured them of support as they seek justice. His involvement is a political development around the case, while the investigation itself remains with the Mumbai Crime Branch.
As of 24 September, the investigation remains ongoing. The CCTV footage provides investigators with a clearer timeline of Wakode’s movements, but it does not by itself establish the cause of his death or prove the allegations made by either side.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
What does the new CCTV footage show?
Sahil Wakode is seen inside the examination hall between around 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm on 18 September. He appears to look at something in his pocket before Professor Suryanarayana Doolla approaches him. Wakode then leaves the hall with his belongings.
What happened afterwards?
Police said CCTV footage shows Wakode moving through the IIT Bombay campus before reaching his hostel room at around 1:25 pm. He did not leave the room afterwards.
What is the police action?
The Mumbai Crime Branch is examining CCTV footage, digital evidence and witness statements. An FIR alleging abetment to suicide and offences under the SC/ST Act was registered after a complaint by Wakode’s father.
What did IIT Bombay say about ChatGPT?
The institute initially linked Wakode to using ChatGPT during the exam but later apologised for the statement. It said the investigation was continuing.
What are Wakode’s parents alleging?
They have alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment. IIT Bombay has denied receiving any prior complaint from Wakode regarding caste discrimination.
Why is Darshan Solanki’s case relevant?
Solanki, an IIT Bombay student who died by suicide in 2023, had a separate case involving allegations of caste discrimination. A court later found insufficient material at the bail stage to establish that the accused student had harassed or instigated him on caste grounds.
What is the latest development?
IIT Bombay has formed a 10-member committee, while Professor Doolla has been sent on leave during the probe. Rahul Gandhi has also spoken to Wakode’s parents and offered support.
