IIT Bombay second-year student Sahil Wakode (Img: X)
Mumbai: The death of IIT Bombay second-year student Sahil Wakode has triggered protests at the institute’s Powai campus, with his parents and fellow students seeking clarity over the events that happened before the tragedy.
Sahil Wakode, a student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room after an examination-related incident. The case has raised questions about academic pressure, disciplinary procedures and student support systems.
According to IIT Bombay, Sahil was found using a mobile phone during an examination. The institute said the question paper was allegedly uploaded on ChatGPT through the device to seek answers.
The institute stated that no formal disciplinary proceedings were started against him. It said faculty members had spoken to the student and counselled him after the incident.
IIT Bombay maintained that Sahil was assured that the matter would not affect his academic future.
Sahil’s parents reached the IIT Bombay campus after learning about the incident and joined students during the protest.
The family questioned the circumstances surrounding their son’s death and demanded a clear explanation from the institute.
Sahil’s parents said he was their only child and described him as a determined person who had worked hard to reach IIT Bombay.
“He was not someone who would give up. He was a fighter,” his parents said while expressing their grief and seeking answers over the incident.
The family also questioned whether the pressure following the examination issue played any role in the tragedy.
After the incident, some students claimed that Sahil was warned about a possible one-year suspension following the exam issue.
Students alleged that the possibility of disciplinary action created additional pressure on him. However, the claim regarding a formal suspension order has not been independently confirmed.
The institute maintained that no such formal action had been initiated.
Following Sahil’s death, several students gathered on campus and raised concerns about academic stress, disciplinary practices and mental health support for students.
The incident has also sparked a wider discussion about the challenges faced by students in highly competitive academic institutions.
IIT Bombay has expressed grief over the student’s death and said support is being provided to members of the campus community. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case.
IIT Bombay expressed grief over the student’s death and said support was being provided to affected students, faculty members and the campus community. The institute maintained that authorities were looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case has sparked a wider discussion around the use of artificial intelligence tools in examinations, academic ethics and the need for sensitive handling of student-related issues.
