IIT-Bombay Apologises for Remarks on Student's Death as Probe Moves to Crime Branch
IIT-Bombay has apologised for its earlier statement on the circumstances surrounding student Sahil's death, as Mumbai Police hand the probe to the Crime Branch.
The Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay has apologised for its earlier public statements about the events leading up to the death of a second-year student, Sahil, whose body was found in his hostel room on Friday, September 18, 2026.
In a post on X on Monday, September 21, 2026, the institute said it had been inappropriate to set out or characterise details relating to the events preceding his demise before they had been duly established through the appropriate investigative process. It added that the details and circumstances leading up to the incident remain subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities.
The apology follows the institute's initial statement on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in which it said the student had been found using a mobile phone in the examination hall and had uploaded the question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers. That statement also said no disciplinary action had been initiated and that the matter had been discussed with the student by the instructor, the faculty advisor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
Sahil's family has disputed that account. His father, Ravindra, stated in the FIR that his son had told him he was harassed for three months by Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was invigilating the examination and has been named in the FIR along with other institute officials. The family has also said Sahil was subjected to casteist remarks.
Separately, the Mumbai Police have transferred the investigation into the death to the Crime Branch. The institute also used social media to reject reports that its Director had stepped down, stating categorically that the news was false.
The developments come amid continuing student unrest on the campus.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State's health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)