Mumbai, September 19, 2026: A second-year student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay died by suicide on September18 evening, with the institute expressing its “deep and heartfelt condolences” to the student’s family, friends and kin.
In a statement, IIT Bombay said that the student was found using a mobile phone during an examination earlier in the day. “He had uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers,” the institute said.
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The institute clarified that “no disciplinary action was initiated against the student.” It said the matter was discussed with the student by the instructor, the faculty adviser and the Head of the Department.
Following the death of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech, hundreds of students protested overnight and continued their protest through Saturday, demanding the resignation of the Director, accountability, better mental-health support and answers from the institute.
According to IIT Bombay, the instructor, faculty adviser and Head of the Department counselled the student and “assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.”
The institute said the student subsequently returned to his hostel room. “Later in the evening, he was found dead in his room,” it said.
Expressing its grief over the death, IIT Bombay said, “IIT Bombay is deeply saddened by the loss of a student.”
The institute added that it was extending support to the student’s family and friends, classmates, faculty members and others affected by the incident.
“The Institute is extending support to the student’s family and friends, classmates, faculty members and others affected by this tragic incident,” IIT Bombay said.
The institute further stated that “the circumstances surrounding the death are being looked into by the appropriate authorities.”
