IIT Bombay student dies by suicide amid exam misconduct row

Mumbai: The death of a second-year student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has led to protests on the Powai campus, with students demanding clarity from the administration over the circumstances preceding the incident.

The student, identified as Sahil Wakode, was enrolled in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. He was found dead in his hostel room on Friday evening, shortly after being questioned about the use of a mobile phone during an examination.

According to IIT Bombay, Wakode had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT while the test was underway. The institute said he was later counselled by the examination instructor and the Head of the Department, and was told that the matter would not harm his academic prospects.

The institute maintained that no disciplinary proceedings had been started against him before his death.

IIT Bombay said it was extending assistance to the student’s classmates, friends, faculty members and others affected by the tragedy. It added that the relevant authorities were investigating the circumstances of the death.

The incident prompted a gathering of students on campus. Protesters accused the administration of withholding important details and called for a transparent account of the events.

Some students alleged that Wakode faced the possibility of a one-year suspension, which they said could have required him to leave the hostel and stay outside the campus. They also claimed that such action might have delayed the completion of his engineering course.

The allegations could not be independently confirmed. Students said the pressure arising from the examination issue and the prospect of disciplinary action should be examined as part of the inquiry.

“The reason for our protest is that a suicide took place in our college today. That is why we have gathered to protest and demand accountability, transparency, and answers from our administration,” a student said.

Another protester referred to other reported deaths on the campus this year and questioned whether the institute had taken adequate steps to identify and address the underlying causes.

Police were deployed across the campus as the protest continued. Student representatives subsequently held talks with officials from the institute.

Senior police officer Dattatray Nalawade said an investigation was in progress. He said students had assembled to voice their concerns and that the administration was in discussions with them to resolve the situation.

The incident is reportedly the third suicide at the IIT Bombay campus in the past six months.

(Inputs from IANS)