IIT Bombay Student Dies by Suicide After Exam Phone Incident, Protests Erupt

A second-year student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay died by suicide on Friday evening, after he was caught using a mobile phone during an examination. The student has been identified as Sahil Wakode from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.

According to the institute, Wakode had uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers. Officials stated that no formal disciplinary action was initiated against him. The matter was discussed with the student by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

After the discussion, Wakode returned to his hostel room. He was later found dead in his room that evening.

In a statement, IIT Bombay said it was "deeply saddened" by the loss. "The Institute is extending support to the student's friends, classmates, faculty members, and others affected by this tragic incident. The circumstances surrounding the death are being looked into by the appropriate authorities," the statement read.

This is the third reported suicide at the IIT Powai campus in seven months. In February, a second-year student died by suicide in the hostel. In July, at the beginning of the new semester, a 20-year-old second-year BTech student also died by suicide.

Following news of Wakode's death, students began protesting on campus. The protesting students alleged that the institute was not revealing the complete truth about the circumstances. They claimed that the student accused of cheating had allegedly been threatened with a one-year suspension, which would have required him to vacate the hostel and live outside the campus. According to the students, such action could also have extended his engineering course from four years to five years or longer. These claims have not been independently verified.

The protesting students demanded "accountability" from the institute's administration. "The reason for our protest is that a suicide took place in our college today. That is why we have gathered to protest—to demand accountability, transparency, and answers from our administration," a student said. "This is not the first incident—four have happened this year alone, and two within the last two months. We have no idea why this is happening, what the reasons are behind all this," he added.

Police deployed heavy security on campus as discussions were held between students and the administration. Senior police officer Dattatray Nalawade said the investigation is underway. "Today, a student died by suicide at IIT Powai. Following this, some IIT students gathered and started a protest over their demands. The IIT administration is holding discussions with them to reach an amicable solution," he said.

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