Archive · 20 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Crime Branch to Question Professor After Student Death
Sahil Ravindra Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room on Friday evening.
Officials said he had allegedly used a phone and ChatGPT during an exam.
IIT Bombay said the instructor and department head counselled him and did not begin disciplinary action.
Wakode’s parents said he faced institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination.
Student protesters said he faced severe pressure and possible suspension.
Police opened a case, and the Crime Branch is now investigating.
A professor has been named as an accused and may be questioned.
The allegations have not been proven, and the investigation is continuing.
The Crime Branch took over the investigation into the alleged suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Ravindra Wakode.
Wakode was found hanging in his Hostel Number 4 room on IIT Bombay’s Powai campus on Friday evening.
Officials said he had allegedly been caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
His parents alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination, while students claimed he faced pressure and threats of academic suspension.
Police registered an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 108 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
- Who
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student, along with his parents, student protesters, a named professor, and Crime Branch investigators.
- What
- The Crime Branch is investigating Wakode’s alleged suicide and may question a professor named as an accused.
- When
- Wakode was found dead on Friday evening; police registered the FIR on Saturday and transferred the case to the Crime Branch that night.
- Where
- Hostel Number 4 on the Powai campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.
- Why
- Wakode’s parents alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination, while officials linked the timing to an alleged exam incident involving a mobile phone and ChatGPT.
Family and Student Protesters
IIT Bombay Statement
Possible factors before the death
Family and Student Protesters
Wakode’s parents alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination. Student protesters claimed he faced severe pressure and threats of academic suspension.
IIT Bombay Statement
IIT Bombay said the instructor and department head discussed the exam incident with Wakode, counselled him, and assured him it would not adversely affect his academic career.
Response to the exam incident
Family and Student Protesters
The family’s complaint led to an FIR alleging abetment of suicide and violations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
IIT Bombay Statement
IIT Bombay said Wakode had allegedly uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT for answers, but that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.
- Student
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student
- Department
- Energy Science and Engineering
- Location
- Hostel Number 4, IIT Bombay’s Powai campus
- Investigation
- The Crime Branch took over the case on Saturday night
- Accused
- A professor has been named as an accused and may be summoned
- FIR
- Registered under BNS Section 108 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Exam incident
- Officials said Wakode was allegedly caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination
