A second-year student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay died by suicide on Friday evening, hours after he was caught using a mobile phone during an examination. The student, Sahil Wakode, was from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
Students are protesting and are alleging that he was warned with a one-year suspension notice.
According to IIT Bombay, Wakode had uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT during the test to seek answers. The institute said the matter was discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department after he was caught.
The institute said Wakode was counselled and assured that the incident would not have an adverse impact on his academic career. IIT Bombay also clarified that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him at that stage. He subsequently returned to his hostel room, where he was later found dead.
The incident has left students and the campus community deeply concerned, particularly over the circumstances surrounding the hours between the examination incident and his death.
Students Protest At IIT Bombay Campus
Following Wakode’s death, a large number of students gathered on the IIT Bombay campus and raised questions about the handling of the incident. The protest was not limited to the examination episode, with students also calling for greater transparency from the institute’s administration.
Some students alleged that Wakode had been warned about a possible one-year suspension following the examination incident. They claimed that such a suspension could have meant leaving the hostel and staying outside the campus, besides potentially extending the duration of his course.
These allegations, however, differ from IIT Bombay’s account. The institute has stated that no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against Wakode and that he had been assured that his academic career would not be affected.
Students also questioned whether sufficient attention was given to the pressure faced by students in such situations. They demanded that the administration provide clarity on the sequence of events and take steps to ensure greater accountability on campus.
The protest also brought wider concerns about student well-being and the handling of academic pressure at the institute into focus. Reports said more than 400 students participated in the demonstration, following which discussions were held between student representatives and the administration. The ongoing mid-semester examinations were also postponed amid the situation.
Police Investigation Underway
Police have begun examining the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death. Officials said statements are being recorded as part of the investigation.
The incident has also drawn attention because it is the third reported student suicide at the IIT Bombay campus in recent months. The institute has said it is extending support to students, faculty members and others affected by the death.
The exact circumstances that led to Wakode’s death remain under investigation. The allegations made by protesting students regarding disciplinary pressure have not been independently established, while the institute maintains that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.
