1 hr ago
IIT Bombay Student Dies Hours After ChatGPT Exam Incident
Sahil Wakode was a second-year student at IIT Bombay.
During an exam, officials said he used a phone and ChatGPT to seek answers.
He later spoke with the exam instructor and department head.
The institute said he was counselled and told that no disciplinary action had started.
Students, however, said he may have been threatened with suspension.
Wakode was found dead in his hostel room later that evening.
Police have filed a case and are investigating what happened.
The exact reason for his death has not been established.
Second-year student Sahil Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on Friday evening.
IIT Bombay said he was caught using a phone to upload an examination paper to ChatGPT for answers.
The institute said he was counselled and assured that the incident would not affect his academic career.
Students alleged he was threatened with a one-year suspension, while IIT Bombay said no disciplinary action had begun.
An FIR has been filed, and police are recording statements from family members and students as protests continue.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year Energy Science and Engineering student at IIT Bombay.
- What
- He was found dead hours after being caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during an examination.
- Where
- His hostel room at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, Mumbai.
- When
- The examination incident occurred around 1 p.m., and he was found dead on Friday evening.
- Why
- Police are investigating the circumstances; the articles report differing accounts about whether the examination incident and subsequent conversation contributed to his death.
Student Concerns
IIT Bombay Account
Possible disciplinary threat
Student Concerns
Some students alleged that Wakode had been threatened with a one-year suspension, which could have forced him to leave the hostel and delayed his course.
IIT Bombay Account
IIT Bombay said no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated and that Wakode was assured the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
Events after the exam
Student Concerns
Students said a conversation with the course professor may have triggered Wakode to take the extreme step.
IIT Bombay Account
The institute said the examination instructor and Head of Department spoke with and counselled him, but the authorities have not established what caused his death.
Transparency
Student Concerns
Protesting students questioned the administration's account and demanded greater transparency about the circumstances.
IIT Bombay Account
IIT Bombay said the circumstances were being examined by the appropriate authorities and that it was supporting people affected by the death.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode
- Academic department
- Energy Science and Engineering
- Examination incident
- He was caught using a mobile phone to upload the question paper to ChatGPT for answers.
- Institute position
- IIT Bombay said he was counselled, assured his academic career would not be harmed, and had not faced disciplinary proceedings.
- Police action
- An FIR was filed after an initial Accident Death Report, and statements are being recorded.
- Investigation
- His body was sent for post-mortem examination.
- Campus response
- Students protested and police were deployed on the Powai campus.
Quotes
Another anonymous IIT Bombay student
A student who described the conversation between Wakode and the course professor.
“He did not have any personal stress and was very active. The copying took place at around 1:00 p.m. When we went to his room in the evening, he did not open the door. After entering the room, we found him dead.”
freepressjournal.in
“After the incident, there was some conversation between the course professor and Sahil, following which he could have been triggered to take the extreme step.”
freepressjournal.in









