Pabitra Banerjee: The Mumbai Police Crime Branch investigating the tragic death of IIT Bombay second-year student Sahil Wakode has retrieved and analyzed crucial CCTV footage capturing his final movements inside the examination hall.
The footage, spanning between 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm on September 18, documents the sequence of events shortly before the 22-year-old BTech student was found dead in his hostel room. Reconstructing the Exam Hall Sequence and Campus Trail
Key details emerging from the ongoing investigation include:
- The Exam Hall Incident: Camera feeds show Wakode seated in the front rows bending down to look at a device or item kept near his pocket as the mid-semester examination neared its conclusion. Investigators are examining allegations regarding the use of a digital device during the test.
- Confrontation and Exit: The footage captures invigilator Professor Suryanarayana Doolla approaching Wakode, questioning him, taking his answer sheet, and asking him to leave the hall. Wakode is seen packing his belongings and handing over an object before exiting.
- Campus Trail: Further CCTV tracking across the campus establishes that Wakode walked back from the exam venue, entering his hostel room at approximately 1:25 pm. Police records indicate he did not step out of his room thereafter.
Protests and Institutional Repercussions
The investigation has drawn intense national attention, triggering student protests, calls for institutional reforms, and demands for a thorough probe into the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Professor Doolla has been temporarily relieved of his administrative responsibilities as Dean to facilitate an unbiased investigation, as the Crime Branch continues to record witness statements to reconstruct the full timeline.
