Mumbai Crime Branch Faces Forensics Hurdle Over Locked iPhone 17 in IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode Death Probe Investigators in the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode are struggling to unlock his encrypted iPhone 17 secured with a pattern lock. The Mumbai Crime Branch is piecing together a crucial 47-minute gap after he was asked to leave an examination hall, turning to specialised digital forensic agencies. The Mumbai Crime Branch investigation into the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has run into a formidable technical roadblock centered on his secured iPhone 17. The handset was secured with a pattern lock to which none of his close acquaintances or friends had access, leaving officers unable to extract its internal contents. Because the data on the device is protected by advanced encryption, unlocking it without the exact pattern has proved exceptionally difficult. Police believe gaining access to the phone could resolve critical questions surrounding the tragedy, specifically regarding what Sahil searched online during an exam on September 18 and what transpired immediately after he exited the examination hall. The Examination Incident and the Crucial 47-Minute Timeline At the heart of the probe is an examination session on September 18, during which Sahil was accused of using a mobile phone. Closed-circuit television recordings revealed Professor Suryanarayana Doolla directing Sahil to leave the examination hall. Sahil stepped out of the hall at approximately 12:38 pm and arrived at his hostel room at around 1:25 pm. The Crime Branch is now focused on reconstructing the precise sequence of events during this roughly 47-minute window. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage along the entire route between the examination venue and the hostel to map where Sahil went and what occurred before he reached his quarters. Forensic Hurdles with Advanced Smartphone Encryption Extracting digital evidence from Sahil's iPhone 17 has challenged standard local procedures. While the forensic tools currently at the disposal of the police are capable of retrieving data from earlier iPhone models, they have struggled to bypass the advanced security features and encryption architecture of this latest model. Consequently, officials have not yet established who called Sahil or whom he attempted to contact on that day, even though multiple missed call notifications remain visible on the handset display. Investigators also hope to review his browsing activity during the test. To overcome the technical impasse, the Crime Branch is considering seeking assistance from external agencies that possess more advanced technology specifically designed for examining new iPhone models and encrypted digital media. Laptop Seizure and Over 20 Witness Statements Recorded In addition to the smartphone, the police have seized Sahil's laptop and forwarded it for forensic laboratory evaluation, while continuing comprehensive reviews of surveillance footage across the examination hall, the wider campus, and the hostel areas. The case was initially registered at the Powai police station before being transferred to the Crime Branch for a specialized probe. Detectives have recorded statements from more than 20 individuals so far, including institute staff members and students. Faculty members who supervised the examination and students who were present in the hall have also been questioned. Investigators are now cross-referencing findings from the laptop, the surveillance tapes, witness testimonies, and the pending phone data to build a complete factual reconstruction of September 18. What this means for you This investigation highlights the operational challenges facing police forensics when dealing with modern smartphone encryption and campus examination protocols. • Across India: The incident brings renewed scrutiny to how premier educational institutions handle examination infractions and student mental wellbeing. It also underscores the technological gaps in standard state police forensics when dealing with the latest encrypted mobile operating systems. • In Mumbai: The ongoing investigation by the Crime Branch in Powai means extensive recording of statements from campus staff and students. Local investigators are actively seeking technical collaboration with specialized cyber agencies equipped to extract data from modern consumer devices. • For students: Institutions may enforce stricter surveillance and clear physical guidelines concerning electronic devices inside examination halls. Transparent grievance and immediate support mechanisms during disciplinary encounters are likely to receive greater institutional emphasis. • Regarding digital privacy: The case demonstrates how end-to-end device security in newer smartphones effectively prevents unauthorized access even during official criminal probes. Law enforcement agencies increasingly depend on third-party forensic specialists when native access mechanisms cannot be bypassed. Why this happened The investigation arose following allegations of mobile phone use during an exam, which led to the student being asked to leave the hall shortly before his death. • Immediate trigger: On September 18, Sahil was accused of using a mobile phone during an examination, prompting Professor Suryanarayana Doolla to order him out of the room. Sahil subsequently returned to his hostel where the tragedy occurred. • Forensic obstacle: Sahil used a newly released iPhone 17 that was secured with an unknown pattern lock and heavy encryption. The forensic tools available to local police can only handle earlier iPhone models, preventing direct access to search history, messages, and calls. • The missing timeline: Surveillance cameras captured Sahil exiting the hall at 12:38 pm and reaching his room at 1:25 pm, leaving a 47-minute gap. Investigators require the phone's digital footprint to determine his exact actions and contacts during that period. • Transfer of probe: After an initial FIR at the Powai police station, the inquiry was transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch to conduct an exhaustive multi-agency investigation involving over 20 witness testimonies. Questions & Answers 1. Who was Sahil Wakode and who is investigating the case? Sahil Wakode was an IIT Bombay student whose death is currently being investigated by the Mumbai Crime Branch. 2. Why has the iPhone 17 become a hurdle in the investigation? The device is locked with an unknown pattern, and standard police forensic tools cannot bypass the encryption of this new model. 3. What transpired in the examination hall on September 18? Sahil was accused of using a mobile phone, after which Professor Suryanarayana Doolla asked him to leave the hall at about 12:38 pm. 4. What is the significance of the 47-minute gap? Investigators are tracing Sahil's movements between leaving the exam hall at 12:38 pm and arriving at his hostel room at 1:25 pm. 5. What information is visible on the phone screen? Several missed call notifications are visible on the display, but detailed caller data remains inaccessible due to the lock. 6. How does the Crime Branch plan to unlock the device? Investigators are considering seeking help from external agencies equipped with advanced forensic technology for newer iPhone models. 7. How many witness statements have been recorded so far? The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from more than 20 individuals, including fellow students and institute staff. 8. What other physical evidence has been collected by the police? Officers have seized Sahil's laptop for forensic analysis and retrieved CCTV footage across the exam hall, campus, and hostel. https://trendkia.com/en/maharashtra/iit-bombay-chhatra-sahil-wakode-mauta-mamale-men-ulajhi-mumbai-crime-branch-loka-iphone-17-bana-jancha-men-rora-38232 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.