IIT Bombay Student Suicide Case: Mumbai Crime Branch Takes Over Probe After Parents Refuse To Claim Body
The probe into the death of a second-year undergraduate student at IIT-Bombay was transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch late Saturday following a seven-hour standoff with the deceased's family.
The investigation into the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has been transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch after his parents refused to claim his body at a Mumbai hospital, demanding action against those they have accused of harassing their son. An ACP-rank officer from the Crime Branch will now lead the probe, TOI reported.
Wakode, a second-year BTech student in IIT Bombay’s Energy Science and Engineering department, was found dead in his hostel room on Friday evening. His parents subsequently filed a complaint with Powai Police, following which an FIR was registered for alleged abetment of suicide. Police have also invoked provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities Act after the family alleged that the student faced caste-based harassment. IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode Warned of 1-Year Suspension for Using ChatGPT in Exam? What Institute Said.
Parents Refuse to Claim Body
Wakode's parents, Ravindra and Sonali, reportedly remained at Rajawadi Hospital for more than seven hours on Saturday without taking custody of their son's body. His father said he would not perform the final rites until those named in the complaint were arrested. Senior police officers later met the family and assured them that their complaint would be investigated.
The body was eventually claimed at around 9 pm after the case was transferred to the Crime Branch, according to the Times of India. IIT Bombay Student Dies by Suicide After Being Caught Using ChatGPT During Exam; Protest Erupts.
FIR Names Professor, Senior Officials
The FIR names a senior IIT Bombay professor along with other senior officials. The case was registered after the student's father approached Powai Police. Police have said the investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the death from all angles. The allegations made by the family are part of the investigation and have not been established by the police at this stage.
The family has alleged that Wakode faced casteist remarks and what they described as institutional harassment. His mother also publicly alleged that her son had been tortured and sought justice.
Dispute Over Examination Incident
The student's death occurred hours after an incident during an examination. According to IIT Bombay, Wakode was found using a mobile phone during the exam and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers. The institute said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.
IIT Bombay stated that the instructor and the Head of Department spoke to Wakode, counselled him and assured him that the incident would not affect his academic career. He subsequently returned to his hostel room.
Students, however, alleged that Wakode had been threatened with suspension after the examination incident. The institute has denied that any disciplinary action had been initiated. This difference in accounts is now among the issues being examined.
Students Protest on IIT Bombay Campus
Wakode's death triggered protests at the Powai campus, with students demanding a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Students continued their demonstration on Saturday and raised concerns about the handling of the examination-related incident. The mid-semester examinations scheduled for Saturday were also postponed. Police said no suicide note was recovered from the hostel room. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination as part of the initial investigation.
IIT Bombay Says It Will Cooperate
IIT Bombay has said that the matter is under investigation and that the institute will cooperate fully with the authorities. The institute also appealed to people to avoid speculation while the investigation continues and asked that the family's privacy be respected.
Third Reported Suicide on Campus This Year
Wakode's death is the third reported student suicide at IIT Bombay's Powai campus in 2026, according to reports. A second-year student died by suicide in February, while another 20-year-old second-year BTech student died by suicide in July, at the beginning of the new semester.
The Crime Branch takeover now places the allegations made by Wakode's family, the circumstances surrounding the examination incident and the events preceding his death under a broader investigation. Authorities are yet to establish whether any individual or institutional action contributed to the student's death.
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Helpline Numbers:
Tele Manas (Ministry of Health) – 14416 or 1800 891 4416; NIMHANS – + 91 80 26995000 /5100 /5200 /5300 /5400; Peak Mind – 080-456 87786; Vandrevala Foundation – 9999 666 555; Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline – 080-23655557; iCALL – 022-25521111 and 9152987821; COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ) – 0832-2252525.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2026 11:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).