A second-year Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay student died by suicide on Friday evening after being caught using a mobile phone during an examination, according to the institute. The incident triggered protests on the Powai campus, with students demanding accountability and greater transparency from the administration.
The student, identified as Sahil Wakode from the department of Energy Science and Engineering, allegedly uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers during the exam, institute officials said.
Institute says no disciplinary action was taken
According to IIT Bombay, no disciplinary action was initiated against Wakode following the incident. The matter was discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not affect his academic career.
Wakode then returned to his hostel room. He was later found dead there.
IIT Bombay said it was "deeply saddened" by the student's death.
"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.
Students protest on IIT Bombay campus
The death led to protests by students, who alleged that the institute had not disclosed the complete circumstances surrounding the incident.
Some protesting students claimed Wakode was threatened with a one-year suspension. They alleged that such a punishment could have forced him to leave the hostel and stay outside campus, while potentially extending his engineering course beyond four years.
These claims have not been independently verified.
"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.
Third reported death in seven months
The incident is the third reported suicide at IIT Bombay in seven months. A second-year student died by suicide in February, while a 20-year-old second-year BTech student died by suicide in July.
Police deployed security personnel on campus as students and the administration held discussions.
Senior police officer Dattatray Nalawade said the investigation was 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," DCP said.