A 22-year-old IIT-Bombay student who was found dead in his hostel room on September 18 had spoken to several friends after being caught copying during an examination and expressed regret over what had happened, according to Mumbai Police officials investigating the case.
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has so far recorded the statements of more than 25 people, including students and hostel staff, as part of its investigation. Some of those questioned were friends who had spoken to the student in the hours between the examination incident and his death.
According to investigators, the student was caught allegedly copying at around 12.40 pm on September 18 during a mid-semester examination. He later returned to his hostel, where he spoke to several friends. Police are examining these conversations to understand his state of mind and the circumstances surrounding the events that followed.
An investigating officer said the student spoke to a female friend at around 2.30 pm and expressed regret about the examination. During the conversation, he reportedly said that he had made a mistake, that his thermodynamics paper had not gone well and that the copying incident had added to his distress.
The police are also examining the student's digital devices. His iPhone has been sent to the Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. Investigators are attempting to access the contents of the device and have indicated that assistance from Apple could be sought if forensic experts are unable to unlock it.
Police have also approached WhatsApp seeking information related to the student's account. Investigators believe that digital evidence, including messages and other available data, could help establish a clearer timeline of events and determine what happened before his death.
At the same time, the Crime Branch is looking into allegations made by the student's family that he faced caste-based harassment at the institute. His father has alleged that an IIT-Bombay professor, Suryanarayana Doolla, had harassed his son over his caste and that the student feared being falsely implicated in a case.
Doolla has been named as an accused in an FIR registered by Powai police following a complaint filed by the student's father. However, the Crime Branch has not yet recorded the professor's statement. Investigators are expected to examine the allegations from all sides as the probe progresses.
Police have also sent CCTV footage from the IIT-Bombay campus to the Kalina forensic laboratory. The footage is being examined and the necessary certification is being obtained so that it can be used as evidence in court, if required.
The investigation is now focusing on multiple aspects, including the examination incident, the student's interactions with friends, digital evidence, CCTV footage and the allegations raised by his family. Police are expected to question more people and analyse the forensic findings before drawing conclusions about the circumstances surrounding the student's death.
The case has also drawn wider attention to student deaths at IITs and concerns surrounding academic pressure and allegations of harassment. Authorities are continuing to investigate the matter, while the student's family has sought action over the allegations they have raised.
Reader Comments 0