World · South & Central Asia · 5 hrs ago
Police say IIT Bombay student apologised after being caught cheating
Police say Sahil Wakode admitted cheating and asked for another chance in a written apology to IIT Bombay.
The 22-year-old second-year student was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was caught allegedly using his phone to access ChatGPT during an exam.
Mumbai police are investigating his death and have recorded statements from more than 40 people, including the institute’s director and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.
Wakode’s parents have accused Doolla of harassment and caste-based discrimination, and police registered a case against him after his father complained.
Doolla denies the harassment allegations in his statement to police.
His parents are demanding justice and the arrest of two institute officials, and began a hunger strike in Mumbai on September 24.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police said Sahil Wakode submitted a written apology after being caught allegedly cheating in an exam and asked IIT Bombay for a second chance.
The 22-year-old second-year BTech student was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after the exam incident.
Mumbai crime branch is investigating his death and has recorded statements from more than 40 people.
Wakode’s parents allege harassment and caste-based discrimination by Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has denied the allegations.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay.
- What
- Police said he apologised in writing after being caught allegedly cheating in an exam and sought a second chance. He was found dead hours later.
- When
- He was found dead on September 18. Police reported the written apology on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- IIT Bombay, in Mumbai.
- Why
- Police said Wakode had not prepared well for the exam and acknowledged his mistake in his written statement. The sources do not state why he died.
Wakode's parents
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla
Allegations
Wakode's parents
They allege Doolla harassed Wakode and that he faced caste-based discrimination at IIT Bombay.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla
Doolla denied the harassment allegations in his statement to police.
Wakode was found dead in his hostel room hours after being caught allegedly using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester exam.
His parents began a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, seeking justice and alleging caste discrimination.
Police said Wakode had submitted a written apology to the institute and sought a second chance.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student
- Institute
- IIT Bombay
- Exam incident
- Allegedly used his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination
- Written statement
- Acknowledged his mistake, said he had not prepared well and sought a second chance
- Investigation
- Mumbai crime branch recorded statements from more than 40 people
- Professor
- Suryanarayana Doolla denied the harassment allegations in his statement to police
Sources
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