Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch is facing difficulties in its investigation into the death of IIT-Bombay student Sahil Wakode, as investigators have so far been unable to access data from his locked iPhone 17.
According to police, Sahil’s phone was protected by a pattern lock, and even people acquainted with him were reportedly unaware of the pattern. As a result, investigators have not yet been able to extract data from the device.
Police Seek Answers About 47-Minute Gap
The Crime Branch hopes access to the phone will help clarify several key aspects of the case, including what Sahil searched for on his phone during the examination on September 18 and what happened after he left the examination hall.
Sahil had allegedly been accused of using his mobile phone during the examination. CCTV footage reportedly shows Professor Suryanarayan Dulla asking him to leave the examination hall.
According to the investigation, Sahil left the examination hall at around 12:38 p.m. and returned to his hostel room at approximately 1:25 p.m.
Investigators are examining the roughly 47-minute period between these two points to establish Sahil’s movements and determine what happened during that time.
CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus and hostel is being reviewed to reconstruct his movements.
Newer iPhone Encryption Creates Technical Challenge
Sahil’s iPhone 17 has emerged as a significant hurdle for investigators. Police forensic tools are reportedly capable of extracting data from several older iPhone models, but investigators are facing difficulties with newer devices.
The data on the phone is encrypted, making access without the pattern lock difficult.
The Crime Branch is now considering seeking assistance from other agencies with more advanced technology for examining newer iPhone models and extracting digital evidence.
Investigators have also seized Sahil’s laptop and sent it for forensic examination. Phone records, laptop data and CCTV footage are being examined alongside statements collected during the investigation.
Over 20 People Questioned In Probe
An FIR was initially registered at Powai police station before the investigation was transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch.
So far, statements from more than 20 people, including students and staff members of IIT-Bombay, have been recorded. Students present in the examination hall and teachers who were supervising the examination have also been questioned.
The Crime Branch is now attempting to reconstruct the sequence of events on September 18 by combining information from phone calls, the laptop, CCTV footage and statements from people connected with the case.