Mumbai, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The locked iPhone 17 of IIT-Bombay student Sahil Wakode has emerged as a key hurdle for the Mumbai Crime Branch as it attempts to reconstruct the sequence of events surrounding his death on September 18.
According to the investigation, Sahil’s phone was protected by a pattern lock that was reportedly not known even to some of his acquaintances. The Crime Branch has so far been unable to extract data from the device, which could potentially provide information about his activities during and after the examination that day.
Investigators are particularly seeking details of searches or other activity on the phone during the examination and after Sahil left the examination hall.
CCTV footage shows Professor Suryanarayan Dulla asking Sahil to leave the examination hall after he was accused of using a mobile phone during the September 18 examination. Sahil left at around 12:38 p.m. and returned to his hostel room at about 1:25 p.m., leaving investigators to examine the approximately 47-minute gap.
The Crime Branch is reviewing CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus and hostel to establish Sahil’s movements and determine what happened during this period.
Investigators have reportedly been able to extract data from older iPhone models using available forensic tools but are facing difficulties with the newer device. Encryption on the phone has further complicated efforts to access its contents without the pattern.
The Crime Branch is considering seeking assistance from agencies equipped with more advanced technology for examining newer iPhones and encrypted digital data.
Sahil’s laptop has also been seized and sent for forensic analysis. Investigators are attempting to correlate information from the laptop, phone calls, CCTV footage and statements recorded during the probe.
An FIR was initially registered at Powai police station before the investigation was transferred to the Crime Branch. More than 20 people, including students and institute staff, have so far been questioned. Students present in the examination hall and teachers supervising the exam are also among those whose statements have been recorded.
The Crime Branch is now working to establish a detailed timeline of Sahil’s movements and activities on September 18 by combining the available digital, CCTV and witness evidence.
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