IIT Bombay Rocked by Student Death and Protests
A tragic incident at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has ignited widespread protests on campus, following the death of a second-year student. Sahil Ravindra Wakode, 22, from Yavatmal district in Maharashtra, was discovered dead in his Hostel 4 room on the evening of September 18. The engineering student in the Energy Science and Engineering department was reportedly found hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during an examination, potentially uploading the question paper to ChatGPT for answers.
According to Powai police, an accidental death report has been registered, and the body was sent for post-mortem. No suicide note was recovered from the scene. In response to the growing unrest, IIT Bombay released a statement on September 18, asserting that no formal disciplinary action had been initiated against Wakode. The institute stated that the matter was discussed with him by the instructor and Head of Department, who offered counseling and assured him his academic career would not be adversely affected.
Students and Parents Challenge Official Account
Despite the administration's assurances, more than 400 students gathered to stage overnight protests that continued to the institute's main gate. Protesters challenged the official narrative, with a group alleging that authorities had threatened Wakode with a one-year suspension. Such a penalty could have forced him to vacate his hostel, move off-campus, and significantly delay the completion of his degree beyond the standard four years.
Wakode's parents joined the demonstration, demanding answers and alleging potential discrimination on campus. They stated that their son, an only child from an underprivileged background, was a fighter and would not have given up easily. They vowed to remain at the main gate until a full explanation for their son's death was provided.
Calls for Transparency Amidst Recurring Tragedies
Students also voiced deep frustration over what they described as a pattern of tragic incidents and a perceived lack of transparency from the IIT Bombay administration. A late-night interaction with the IIT Bombay director at the Convocation Hall, where officials highlighted existing mental health support services and pledged to enhance them, failed to satisfy the protesting students.
This marks the third reported student suicide at IIT Bombay within the past seven months. Previous incidents include the death of another second-year student in February and a 20-year-old second-year BTech student in July 2026. Police investigations into the latest death are ongoing as campus protests persist, underscoring the urgent demand for accountability and systemic change at the prestigious institution.