IIT Bombay death case: Mumbai Police probe 'impartial', iPhone key to unlocking truth
Synopsis
The Mumbai Crime Branch's IIT Bombay investigation has hit a tangible wall: a locked iPhone that authorities say 'will reveal many secrets' about the ChatGPT exam allegation. With a professor sent on leave on abetment and caste-discrimination charges, and student statements being recorded, this case is fast becoming a test of institutional accountability at India's top engineering schools.
Key Takeaways
Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the death of Sahil Ravindra Wakode , 20, a B.Tech student at IIT Bombay , registered as DCB CID C.R.
Wakode was found hanging in his hostel room on 18 September 2026 , hours after allegedly being caught using a phone during a mid-semester exam.
Police say unlocking Wakode's iPhone is critical to resolving the ChatGPT allegations ; technical assistance is being sought.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been sent on leave; a case of abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination has been registered against him.
Mumbai Police have urged the public and media to avoid speculation and rely only on official communications.
Mumbai Police on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, stated that the investigation into the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode, 20, is being conducted 'impartially' and from all possible angles, while urging the public and media to avoid speculation and misinformation. The case has been transferred to the Crime Branch, Mumbai, and is supervised by a senior officer.
Case Status and Supervision
The case was initially registered at Powai Police Station before being transferred to Crime Branch as DCB CID C.R. No. 124/2026. An ACP-rank officer is leading the probe, under the close supervision of the DCP Detection-I, Crime Branch. 'The investigation is being conducted diligently and impartially, exploring all possible angles,' police officials said in a statement.
The Crime Branch was also set to record statements from select students later on Wednesday. Mumbai Police's public appeal was unambiguous: 'Refrain from speculation, spreading misinformation or drawing premature conclusions. Media is requested to follow information transmitted through official channels only.'
iPhone at the Centre of Investigation
A critical bottleneck in the probe, according to officials, is that Wakode's iPhone has not yet been unlocked. 'Unlocking the iPhone will reveal many secrets,' officials stated. 'The Crime Branch is trying to unlock the iPhone with technical assistance. Only after the iPhone is unlocked will clarity be gained on the ChatGPT allegations,' they added.
Earlier reports had indicated that Wakode allegedly used his mobile phone during a mid-semester examination to upload the question paper to an artificial intelligence platform — a claim the institute subsequently declined to elaborate on, noting the matter was under investigation.
What Led to the Incident
Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay, was found hanging in his hostel room on the Powai campus on the evening of 18 September 2026. The incident reportedly occurred hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during the examination.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who teaches in the same department and was reportedly serving as an invigilator at the time, had flagged the alleged phone use to institute authorities in line with established procedure.
Professor Sent on Leave, Faces Serious Charges
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been sent on leave amid the ongoing investigation, sources said on Wednesday. A case has been registered against him on allegations including abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination — charges that carry serious legal consequences if established.
Notably, this case has drawn national attention given the intersection of academic pressure, alleged AI misuse, caste discrimination concerns, and institutional accountability at one of India's most prominent engineering institutions.
What Happens Next
The pace of the investigation now hinges substantially on whether technical teams can unlock Wakode's iPhone. Investigators have indicated the device could provide definitive answers on the ChatGPT allegations. Student statements recorded later on Wednesday may also shape the direction of the probe. The case continues to put a spotlight on mental health support systems and anti-discrimination mechanisms at premier Indian institutions.
Point of View
Nearly five days after Wakode's death. The dual charges against Professor Doolla — abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination — are legally grave and institutionally significant, yet neither has been tested in court. What is already clear is that IIT Bombay's crisis response has been characterised by reticence: the institute initially characterised the incident as AI-related cheating, then walked it back. That sequence of events, more than the iPhone, may ultimately define accountability here.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sahil Ravindra Wakode and what happened to him?
Sahil Ravindra Wakode, 20, was a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay. He was found hanging in his hostel room on the Powai campus on 18 September 2026, reportedly hours after being caught allegedly using his mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.
Why is the iPhone important to the IIT Bombay investigation?
Mumbai Police say unlocking Wakode's iPhone is the single biggest hurdle in the case. Officials stated the device 'will reveal many secrets' and that clarity on the ChatGPT allegations — that Wakode uploaded an exam paper to an AI platform — can only be established once the phone is accessed with technical assistance.
What charges have been filed against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla?
A case has been registered against Professor Doolla on allegations of abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination following Wakode's death. He has been sent on leave from IIT Bombay while the investigation is ongoing. He was reportedly serving as an invigilator during the examination where Wakode's phone use was flagged.
Which agency is now handling the IIT Bombay student death case?
The case has been transferred from Powai Police Station to the Crime Branch, Mumbai, registered as DCB CID C.R. No. 124/2026. It is being led by an ACP-rank officer and supervised by the DCP Detection-I of the Crime Branch.
Why are Mumbai Police appealing for restraint from the public and media?
Police have urged people not to speculate or spread misinformation as the investigation is active and several key facts — including the iPhone's contents — remain unverified. They have specifically asked media to rely solely on official communications to prevent premature conclusions from influencing the probe.
