IIT-B Student Death: Crime Branch Tries To Unlock Student’s Phone
Wakode died by suicide on September 18. Based on a complaint filed by his parents: Reports
MUMBAI: Investigators probing the alleged suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode on Friday said so far, they have recorded the statements of 20 people, including students and staff members, as part of the ongoing inquiry. Forensic experts are also trying to access call logs and messages on Wakode’s mobile phone. However, investigators have not yet been able to access the device, which is secured with a pattern lock.
Wakode died by suicide on September 18. Based on a complaint filed by his parents, police have booked IIT Bombay faculty member Suryanarayan Doolla for alleged abetment to suicide on the grounds of caste discrimination. Doolla has been sent on leave to facilitate an impartial investigation.
Wakode’s parents staged a hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Thursday. On Friday, they visited the Crime Branch office and remained there for nearly eight hours.
Officials confirmed that the Crime Branch has recorded the statements of 20 people. They said efforts were also under way to access Wakode’s locked mobile phone.
Union minister Ramdas Athawale has called for a “thorough investigation” into Wakode’s death. After visiting IIT Bombay, Athawale said, “Any student who gets admission to the IIT is very clever and highly capable. Wakode’s death should be thoroughly investigated and action should be taken against those responsible.”
Supporting the parents’ demand for an investigation, Athawale said, “The way he died by suicide suggests there could be some major reason behind it. Someone may have insulted him and forced him to take the extreme step.”
Athawale said he would raise the issue with Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi.