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19-09-2026
The news report concerns the tragic death of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay student and the subsequent unrest on the Powai campus:
The New Indian ExpressWhat HappenedIncident during the exam: Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was allegedly caught using his mobile phone to upload an exam question paper to ChatGPT to find answers.
The New Indian ExpressInstitute’s initial statement: IIT Bombay stated that no formal disciplinary action had been initiated against him. According to the administration, the course instructor and the Head of Department met with the student, counselled him, and assured him that the incident would not adversely impact his academic career.
The New Indian Express+ 1Death: Following the meeting, the student returned to his room in Hostel 4, where he was later found dead. The police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and sent the body for a post-mortem.
The New Indian Express+ 1
Student demonstrations: News of the death led to large-scale protests on the campus, with hundreds of students gathering to demand accountability, transparency, and a comprehensive investigation.
The Indian ExpressAllegations: While the institute maintained that the student was counselled calmly, several protesting students and the victim’s family contested this version, alleging harassment and threats of severe academic penalties or suspension. His family has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances.
The Indian ExpressBroader concerns: Protesters highlighted recurring student suicides across premier institutes, demanding urgent reforms regarding academic stress, mental health support systems, and administrative handling of student welfare. Ongoing mid-semester examinations were postponed as talks took place between student representatives, the administration, and local police.
The Indian Express