After CCTV footage of the examination hall at IIT Bombay, where a 2nd-year B.Tech. student Sahil Wakode was caught using a mobile phone while writing the examination was released, several claims emerged on social media dismissing the video evidence as fake and AI-generated.
Many so-called pro-Dalit voices on X claimed that Sahil Wakode was not using a mobile phone but a calculator or a geometry box, which other students in the examination hall were also using.
Fake claim of CCTV footage.
— Suraj Kumar Bauddh (@SurajKrBauddh) September 23, 2026
Caste Hindus and Manu Media are spreading MISINFORMATION about CCTV, claiming that Sahil Wakode was caught with a phone.
The truth is that it's not a mobile phone. Such items can be seen on the desks of other boys. Maybe it's a calci or geometry box. pic.twitter.com/kjr7puazMg
They claimed that “caste Hindus” and “Manu Media” were spreading misinformation using the CCTV footage, adding that Wakode was using a scientific calculator or a geometry box like other students and not a mobile phone.
It’s a fucking calculator. Literally everyone has it on their desks. Phones are not allowed inside the exam hall. https://t.co/boyvPrrfBp
— cheeku (@anticastetalks) September 23, 2026
An Ambedkarite X account claimed that the CCTV footage of the examination hall, which was aired on various media channels, was “AI-generated”.
An AI-generated video is being circulated by national media outlets. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kA2NgwBY2S
— Ravi Parmar (@raviparmarIN) September 23, 2026
One X account claimed that the CCTV visuals actually show that Wakode had completed his examination and he handed over his answer sheet to the invigilator, collected his items, and left the examination hall. Dismissing the allegations of cheating against Wakode, the account argued that no student would dare cheat in an examination at IIT Bombay, that too, sitting in a front seat, and therefore Wakode surely would not have cheated during the exam.
ये कोई फ़ोन नहीं है उसी वीडियो में और भी बच्चे इस कैलकुलेटर के साथ दिख रहे है। और वो एग्जाम ख़त्म करने के बाद अपनी कॉपी सबमिट करने जा रहा है। और दो कौड़ी की मूर्ख, आईआईटी मुंबई के एग्जाम हॉल में पहली बेंच पर कोई फ़ोन लेकर चीटिंग कर सकता है ? इतना दिमाग तो लगा ले, कम से कम, और देख… https://t.co/nLJLxRpvVW pic.twitter.com/Md37wo6efB
— Dr. Prince Verma (@PrinceV93789344) September 23, 2026
Several similar claims questioning the CCTV footage and prematurely passing verdicts on the events that led to Wakode’s tragic death surfaced on social media. However, a look at the CCTV footage exposes the claims of all the so-called pro-Dalit advocates, who have been using the tragedy to peddle their divisive agenda.
The CCTV video shows Sahil Wakode sitting in the front seat in the examination hall and looking at his lap while writing on his answer sheet. A calculator and other items can be seen placed on Wakode’s desk as he was repeatedly looking at his lap. The invigilator notices his movements and interrupts him. Wakode then hands over a mobile phone to the invigilator. He then collects the rest of the items, which were placed on his desk, and walks out of the hall behind the invigilator.
Here’s the same video zoomed in. The calculator is on his table. The phone was on his lap, which was then handed over. He left with the calculator
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) September 23, 2026
Have some shame. Because of Ambedkarite politics, a dead boy’s last video is being analyzed on social media. Stop. Now. https://t.co/1zMWwLU2XV pic.twitter.com/Wjs78zL0Pp
The CCTV footage matches the earlier statement of the IIT Bombay administration that Sahil Wakode was caught using a mobile phone during an examination on September 18, 2026. He was asked to leave the examination hall by Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was on invigilation duty. The IIT administration said that Wakode was subsequently counselled; however, no disciplinary action was taken against him. Hours after the incident, he was found dead inside his hostel room.
Wakode’s death triggered outrage among students who staged protests by leftist student groups. His family alleged that Wakode was subjected to caste discrimination by Professor Doolla and others on the campus, which pushed him to take his life.
Based on the caste-discrimination allegations of Wakode’s family, an FIR was lodged by the Mumbai Police against Professor Doolla and others relating to abetment to suicide and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the case.
While Wakode’s death has been given a caste discrimination spin, not a single complaint was ever filed against Professor Doolla or Shireesh Kedare, either with the administration or the SC/ST cell of IIT Bombay during Sahil’s tenure at the institute.
