Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Youth Congress Protests IIT Bombay Over Student Death Claim
Youth Congress members protested outside IIT Bombay after student Sahil Wakode died.
They said the institute’s first statement focused too much on an allegation that he used ChatGPT to cheat.
The protesters demanded justice for Wakode.
Wakode was a second-year engineering student.
He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
His parents want people named in the case to be arrested.
They also want the Mumbai Crime Branch to conduct a fair investigation.
The family has alleged that Wakode faced caste-based harassment and torture.
Officials are still investigating what happened.
Youth Congress members protested outside IIT Bombay on September 23 following the death of student Sahil Wakode.
The protesters objected to IIT Bombay’s initial statement alleging Wakode cheated in an examination using ChatGPT.
Wakode, a second-year BTech student, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
His parents are seeking arrests of people named in the case and a fair Mumbai Crime Branch investigation.
The family has alleged caste-based harassment and torture, but the circumstances of Wakode’s death remain under investigation.
- Who
- Youth Congress members, IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode’s family, IIT Bombay, and the Mumbai Crime Branch are involved.
- What
- A protest was held over Wakode’s death and IIT Bombay’s statement alleging he cheated using ChatGPT.
- When
- The protest took place on September 23, 2026; Wakode was found dead on September 18.
- Where
- Outside IIT Bombay in Mumbai, Maharashtra; Wakode was found in a hostel room on the Powai campus.
- Why
- Protesters and Wakode’s family are seeking justice, arrests, and an investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Protesters and family
Institute’s stated account
Interpretation of the death
Protesters and family
Youth Congress members said IIT Bombay improperly framed the death around an allegation that Wakode cheated using ChatGPT.
Institute’s stated account
IIT Bombay’s initial statement, as described by the protesters, alleged that Wakode was caught cheating in an examination using ChatGPT.
What should happen next
Protesters and family
Wakode’s family is seeking arrests of those named, a fair Mumbai Crime Branch investigation, and action against anyone found responsible.
Institute’s stated account
The circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death and the family’s allegations remain under investigation, with further details awaited.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old second-year BTech student
- Institute
- IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering
- Death reported
- Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on September 18
- Protest date
- September 23, 2026
- Protest issue
- Youth Congress challenged IIT Bombay’s statement alleging ChatGPT-assisted exam cheating
- Family demand
- Arrest of those named in the case and a fair Mumbai Crime Branch investigation
- Additional allegation
- Wakode’s parents have alleged caste-based harassment and torture