Mumbai, IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode phoned a female friend shortly after being caught allegedly copying in an exam on September 18, expressing regret over it before taking his own life, police officials said on Monday.
Among those questioned were friends who received phone calls from Wakode during the intervening period between the examination and his death later that evening in his hostel room. To retrieve complete digital logs and device history, the police have sent Wakode’s iPhone to the Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory for technical analysis. Authorities indicated they may seek direct assistance from Apple company if local forensic experts are unable to unlock the device. Based on a complaint by Wakode’s father, the Powai police had registered an FIR against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was removed as the dean of administrative affairs at the institute after the student’s death. In his statement to the police, Wakode’s father alleged that during their last meeting, his son claimed that Professor Doolla had been subjecting him to casteist abuse over the past three months at the instance of institute Director Shireesh Kedare, and expressed fear of being implicated in a false case.
Statements of more than 25 persons, including IIT Bombay students, faculty, and hostel staff, have been recorded so far, according to a police official.
The Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch has found that Wakode made phone calls to several friends after the exam hall episode, they said. Police said they are yet to record the statement of Prof Doolla, as they continue to scrutinise all circumstances, statements, and technical evidence surrounding the incident.
The Crime Branch is simultaneously examining allegations of caste-based harassment levelled by Wakode’s family.
