A second-year student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay died by suicide on Friday evening after he was found using a mobile phone during an examination, prompting a student protest at the institute.
The student, Sahil Wakode, was enrolled in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. IIT Bombay said he had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT while seeking answers.
The institute said no disciplinary action had been initiated against Wakode following the examination incident. It said the matter was discussed with him by the instructor, faculty advisor and head of department.
According to the institute, the student was counselled and assured that the incident would not have an adverse effect on his academic career.
Wakode later returned to his hostel room, where he was found dead that evening.
“IIT Bombay is deeply saddened by the loss of a student,” the institute said, adding that it was providing support to his family, friends, classmates, faculty members and others affected by his death.
The incident prompted a protest involving more than 400 students near the institute’s main building, The Indian Express reported. Students raised slogans against the administration and continued their demonstration until IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare met them at around 10.30pm.
The gathering later moved to the convocation hall opposite the main building. Students said the ongoing mid-semester examinations were subsequently postponed.
Some protesters alleged that Wakode had been threatened with a one-year suspension following the examination incident, according to NDTV. They said such a punishment could have required him to leave the hostel and live off campus, potentially extending his engineering course beyond four years.
Students also alleged that fear and pressure over possible disciplinary proceedings may have contributed to his death. The claim has not been independently verified.
The protesters called for greater accountability from the institute’s administration and raised concerns about how disciplinary matters involving students are handled.
A day after Wakode’s death, his parents also alleged that he had faced caste-based discrimination, according to local media reports.
IIT Bombay denied the allegation, saying the student had not submitted any complaint of caste-based discrimination to the department head or the institute’s administration.
The institute said it would cooperate fully with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the death and urged people not to speculate while the inquiry continues.
“IIT-Bombay will cooperate fully with the authorities and request everyone to respect the family’s privacy,” the institute said.
The death has raised wider concerns among students about academic pressure, disciplinary procedures and the support available to students facing distress. The circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death remain under investigation.
