Mumbai: A 22-year-old second-year BTech student, Sahil Ravindra Wakode, at IIT Bombay died by suicide on Friday evening, September 18, hours after he was found using a mobile phone during an examination. According to IIT Bombay, the student had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers. The institute said no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.

Following the examination incident, Sahil was counselled by the instructor and the Head of Department, who, according to the institute, assured him that the matter would not adversely affect his academic career. He subsequently returned to his hostel room, where he was later found dead. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

The death sparked a major student protest on campus, with more than 400 students gathering to question the institute’s handling of the incident. Students raised concerns about the way academic and personal difficulties are addressed, as well as the adequacy of mental-health support and student representation in institutional decision-making. The ongoing mid-semester examinations were also postponed following the protests.

While IIT Bombay maintained that no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated, some students alleged that Sahil had been threatened with suspension. The claim has not been confirmed by the institute. His parents, who arrived on campus, also alleged caste discrimination and blamed the administration for their son’s death. These allegations remain unverified and are part of the ongoing dispute surrounding the case.

During an open-house meeting with students, IIT Bombay Director Prof Shireesh Kedare said the institute would constitute a committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the wider concerns raised during the protest. The committee is also expected to work on measures to strengthen support for students facing difficulties.