IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode dies after ChatGPT exam row as student protest erupts, with parents demanding answers and a detailed probe.
IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode was found dead in his hostel room after a ChatGPT exam row. The institute said no disciplinary action was initiated against him. However, students alleged pressure and demanded transparency, triggering a student protest on campus. Wakode’s parents also joined the protest and sought justice. Mumbai Police have registered an abetment-of-suicide case, while the circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation.
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IIT Bombay Student Death After ChatGPT Exam Row: Student Protest Erupts on Campus
A tragic incident at IIT Bombay has triggered a major student protest on the Powai campus after a second-year student, Sahil Wakode, was found dead in his hostel room on Friday evening, September 18, 2026. The incident happened hours after he was found using a mobile phone during an examination.
According to IIT Bombay, Wakode had uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers during the exam. The institute said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him and that he was counselled by the instructor and Head of Department before returning to his hostel room. He was later found dead in his room.
The incident has raised serious questions among students and the student’s family. Students gathered on campus demanding transparency and answers from the administration, while Mumbai Police have started investigating the circumstances surrounding the death. An abetment-of-suicide case has also been registered following a complaint by the student’s father.
What Happened to the IIT Bombay Student?
Sahil Wakode was a second-year student from IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering. During an examination on Friday, he was found using a mobile phone.
The institute said he had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers during the examination.
After the incident, Wakode reportedly spoke with the instructor and the Head of Department. According to IIT Bombay, he was counselled and assured that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
He then returned to his hostel room. Later that evening, he was found dead.
What IIT Bombay Said About the Incident
IIT Bombay issued a statement expressing grief over the student’s death.
The institute specifically said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against Wakode following the examination incident. It also said that the circumstances surrounding his death were being looked into by the appropriate authorities.
The institute further said it was extending support to the student’s friends, classmates, faculty members and others affected by the tragedy.
This statement has become an important part of the ongoing discussion because students have made different claims about what happened after Wakode was caught during the exam.
IIT Bombay Student Protest: What Are Students Demanding?
Following news of the death, students began a student protest inside the IIT Bombay campus.
Reports said more than 400 students gathered during the protest, demanding accountability, transparency and a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death. The ongoing mid-semester examinations were also postponed amid the situation.
Students alleged that Wakode could have faced a one-year suspension and might have been required to leave the hostel if such action was taken.
However, these claims have not been independently established, and IIT Bombay has maintained that no disciplinary action was initiated against him.
The protest therefore became focused not only on the death but also on questions surrounding academic pressure, disciplinary procedures, student welfare and mental health.
Parents Join the IIT Bombay Protest
Wakode’s parents also joined the protest outside the institute’s main gate on Saturday.
His parents said that he was their only child and described him as a fighter. They demanded an explanation for what happened to their son and called for justice.
His mother also alleged that her son had been harassed and said she wanted justice. These are allegations made by the family and are now part of the investigation.
Police Register Abetment-of-Suicide Case
The case has now moved into a formal police investigation.
Mumbai Police registered an abetment-of-suicide case after a complaint was filed by Wakode’s father. Police said the father named several people in his statement and that the roles of those named are being investigated.
At this stage, the investigation is still underway, and the registration of an FIR should not be treated as proof that any particular person or institution caused the death.
Third Reported Suicide at IIT Bombay Campus This Year
The latest death has also raised concerns because it is being reported as the third student suicide at the IIT Bombay Powai campus in seven months.
Earlier this year, a second-year student died by suicide in February. Another 20-year-old second-year BTech student died in July, according to reports.
The repeated incidents have intensified discussions around mental health, academic pressure and the support systems available to students at one of India’s premier educational institutions.
IIT Bombay Says Mental Health Support Will Be Strengthened
During discussions with protesting students, the IIT Bombay director said the institute would increase its focus on student mental health.
The institute said psychologists are already available on campus and that several measures are being taken to support students. Reports said eight psychologists are currently working as consultants at IIT Bombay.
For students, the incident has opened a wider conversation about how academic integrity rules, disciplinary procedures and mental health support should work together.
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What Happens Next?
The circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death are now being investigated by the police and other authorities.
At the same time, the IIT Bombay student protest has highlighted students’ demand for transparency and better communication from the administration.
For now, it is important to separate confirmed information from allegations. IIT Bombay has said that no disciplinary action was initiated, while students and the family have raised allegations about pressure and harassment. The investigation will have to establish the facts.
Pulse by Anubhav will continue to follow the developments as more verified information emerges.
FAQs About IIT Bombay Student Protest
FAQs About IIT Bombay Student Death
What happened to the IIT Bombay student?
Sahil Wakode, a second-year IIT Bombay student, was found dead in his hostel room after he was reportedly caught using a mobile phone during an examination.
Why did the IIT Bombay student protest begin?
Students protested demanding transparency, accountability and answers about the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
What did IIT Bombay say about the ChatGPT exam row?
IIT Bombay said Wakode had uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers and stated that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.
What did the student’s parents say?
Wakode’s parents demanded an explanation and justice. His mother alleged that her son had been harassed, while the allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Has Mumbai Police registered a case?
Yes. Mumbai Police registered an abetment-of-suicide case following a complaint filed by Wakode’s father. The investigation is ongoing.
How many student suicides have been reported at IIT Bombay recently?
Reports have described Wakode’s death as the third reported student suicide at the IIT Bombay campus within seven months, following incidents reported in February and July 2026.
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