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IIT Bombay Student Death Sparks Parents’ Allegations, Campus Protests
Sahil Wakode was a second-year student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room on Friday evening.
Police and the institute said he had been using a phone during an examination earlier that day.
The institute said he uploaded the exam paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.
It also said teachers counselled him and told him the incident would not harm his academic career.
Wakode’s parents said he was hardworking and alleged that he had been tortured.
They blamed the institute and asked for justice.
Students protested and demanded answers from the administration.
Police are investigating, and no suicide note was found.
Second-year student Sahil Wakode was found dead in his Hostel No. 4 room on Friday evening.
Police and IIT Bombay said he had been found using a mobile phone during an examination earlier that day.
The institute said Wakode had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT, but no disciplinary action had begun.
Wakode’s parents alleged he was tortured and blamed the institution, saying he was their only child.
Powai police registered an accidental death report, seized his phone, collected CCTV footage and recorded statements.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year student in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering; his parents, institute officials, students and Powai police are involved in the aftermath.
- What
- Wakode was found dead in his hostel room in an incident police and reports described as an alleged suicide; the circumstances are under investigation.
- Where
- Hostel No. 4 on the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- When
- He was found on Friday evening; his mother approached Powai police on Saturday. The reports and police post are dated September 19, 2026.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. Earlier that day, Wakode had reportedly been caught using a mobile phone during an examination; his parents allege institutional torture, while IIT Bombay said no disciplinary action had been initiated.
Parents and Students
IIT Bombay and Police Findings
Cause and responsibility
Parents and Students
Wakode’s parents alleged that he was tortured and blamed IIT Bombay for his death, saying he was hardworking and not someone who would attempt suicide.
IIT Bombay and Police Findings
IIT Bombay said the examination incident was discussed with Wakode, that he was counselled and assured it would not harm his academic career; police have not established a cause or motive.
Response to the examination incident
Parents and Students
Students expressed anger, sought answers from the administration and demanded resignations from the examination in-charge, institute director and relevant faculty members.
IIT Bombay and Police Findings
The institute stated that no disciplinary action had been initiated against Wakode after he was found using a phone and uploading the examination paper to ChatGPT.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year student
- Department
- Energy Science and Engineering
- Location
- Hostel No. 4, IIT Bombay’s Powai campus
- Examination incident
- He was reportedly found using a mobile phone and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT
- Police action
- Powai police registered an accidental death report and began an investigation
- Evidence collected
- Police seized his mobile phone and collected campus CCTV footage
- Suicide note
- Police said none was recovered
- Campus response
- Students protested and demanded answers, including resignations of several officials and faculty members
Quotes
Sahil Wakode’s parents
The parents of deceased IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode
“The matter was also 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.”
freepressjournal.in
“He was our only child. We will sit here till we get justice. He was really hardworking and had immense grit; he was not someone who could attempt suicide. We blame the institution for his death.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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