Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, had apologised for allegedly cheating during an examination and sought another chance from the institute, police said on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after the incident.
The Mumbai crime branch, which is investigating the death, has recorded statements of more than 40 people, including IIT-B director Shireesh Kedare and professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who faces allegations of harassment and caste-based discrimination from the deceased student’s parents, an official said.
According to reports, Wakode submitted a written statement acknowledging his mistake and assuring the authorities that he would not repeat it. He reportedly said he had not prepared adequately for the examination and was worried about his performance.
Wakode had spoken to a female friend shortly after the examination incident, the report said. During the conversation, he reportedly said his Thermodynamics paper had not gone well and expressed anxiety about his preparation and performance.
Under IIT Bombay’s academic disciplinary procedure, students accused of examination malpractice are given an opportunity to present their side. The process involves sharing the relevant report with the student, who can then submit a written response.
The institute had earlier said Wakode was found using a mobile phone during the examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers. It initially said no disciplinary action had been initiated against him and that he had been counselled.
IIT Bombay later apologised for describing the circumstances surrounding his death before the investigation had established the facts.
An FIR was registered by the Powai police against Professor Doolla following a complaint lodged by the student’s father.
According to the police, Professor Doolla, who has been named an accused in the abetment to suicide case, has denied allegations of harassment levelled against him by Wakode's parents in his statement to the police.
The deceased student's parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, started their hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on September 24 seeking justice for their deceased son, alleging caste discrimination at the premier institute.
Ravindra Wakode has said he would continue his protest until his son gets justice and those responsible are punished.
Sahil's family has alleged that he faced caste discrimination at the premier institute.
Ravindra Wakode had said, "I do not care, even if I get arrested. My son should get justice constitutionally. This is the state of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar. I will start my sit-in protest at Azad Maidan. I will continue my fight for justice."