Archive · 23 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Student Death Triggers Investigation, Protests and Conflicting Claims
Sahil Wokade was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room after an examination.
The institute had said he was caught using a phone to access ChatGPT during the exam.
Later, the institute withdrew those statements and apologized.
A friend said Sahil told her that he had made a mistake and that his Thermodynamics paper had not gone well.
Sahil's parents said he had also complained about caste slurs and discrimination.
Different groups disagree about what led to his death and whether any individuals should be blamed.
Police and IIT Bombay are investigating, and the institute has created a 10-member committee.
Sahil Wokade, 22, was found hanging in his hostel room after allegedly being caught using a phone during an examination.
Sources said Wokade told a close friend he had made a mistake and that his Thermodynamics paper had gone badly.
His parents previously said he complained of caste slurs and discrimination, while his friend reportedly mentioned no caste-related issue in their final conversation.
IIT Bombay withdrew earlier statements linking the death to alleged ChatGPT use and said the circumstances remained under investigation.
The institute formed a 10-member committee as police, students, faculty and alumni called for restraint and a fair investigation.
- Who
- Sahil Wokade, a 22-year-old second-year IIT Bombay student, is at the center of the investigation.
- What
- He was found hanging in his hostel room in an incident being investigated as an alleged suicide.
- When
- He was found last Friday; his final reported phone conversation with a friend occurred at about 2:30 p.m. that day.
- Where
- His hostel room on IIT Bombay's Powai campus.
- Why
- The circumstances are disputed and remain under investigation, including alleged exam misconduct and claims of caste discrimination.
Family's Allegations
Institute and Supporters' Position
What contributed to the death
Family's Allegations
Wokade's parents said he had complained of caste slurs and discrimination, and the FIR alleges abetment to suicide on caste-discrimination grounds.
Institute and Supporters' Position
IIT Bombay withdrew its earlier characterization of the events, saying the circumstances had not been established and remained subject to investigation.
Professor Doolla's conduct
Family's Allegations
Wokade's parents have sought the immediate arrest of IIT Bombay Director Shirish Kedare and Professor Suryanarayan Doolla, who was named in the FIR.
Institute and Supporters' Position
Students and the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum supported Doolla, saying he was performing his duty as an invigilator by reporting alleged unauthorized smartphone use under institute guidelines.
Public discussion of the case
Family's Allegations
The family and protesters have pressed for accountability and action in response to the allegations.
Institute and Supporters' Position
Mumbai Police and the IIT Bombay Alumni Association called for restraint, a fair investigation and an end to speculation or a media trial.
- Student
- Sahil Wokade, 22, a second-year student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering
- Reported final conversation
- Around 2:30 p.m. with a close friend on the day of his death
- Exam allegation
- He was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination
- Institute response
- IIT Bombay withdrew earlier comments about the circumstances and apologized
- Police case
- Professor Suryanarayan Doolla was named in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide on caste-discrimination grounds
- Committee
- IIT Bombay established a 10-member high-level committee
- Public appeal
- Mumbai Police urged people and media not to speculate or spread misinformation