A second-year student at IIT Bombay, Sahil Wakode, tragically took his own life on the evening of Friday, September 15, 2026. This occurred mere hours after he was reportedly discovered using a mobile phone during an examination, allegedly uploading the question paper to ChatGPT in search of answers. Wakode was part of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, and his death has reignited discussions about mental health and academic pressure within the institution.

Background of Previous Suicides at IIT Bombay

Wakode’s death marks the third reported suicide involving students at IIT Bombay within the last seven months. Earlier in February, Naman Agarwal, a 21-year-old BTech Civil Engineering student, reportedly died after falling from the terrace of Hostel 4. An Accidental Death Report was registered by the police, who noted the absence of a suicide note.

Following that, in July, Sohil Rajkumar Sangwan, a 20-year-old second-year student in Material Science, was found dead in his hostel room, with investigations suggesting family-related and personal issues could be involved. The succession of these tragedies has sparked significant concern among the student body and has led to questions about the support systems in place at the institute.

This pattern of distress is viewed as a critical area for improvement regarding student welfare and mental health resources. In light of Wakode’s incident, students are worried about the pressures relating to academic performance and whether adequate counselling services are accessible when needed.

The Response from IIT Bombay

Following the incident, IIT Bombay issued a statement indicating that Wakode had received counselling from both his instructor and the Head of Department after the examination incident. The institution asserted that he was reassured of his academic standing and that disciplinary actions were not being pursued against him.

However, this stance has been met with scepticism from the student body, who have begun questioning the adequacy of the measures in place to support students facing academic pressure. Later that evening, Wakode was discovered deceased in his hostel room. This prompted a rapid gathering of over 400 students on campus, expressing their outrage and demanding clarity regarding the handling of incidents related to student welfare.

During the protest, some students alleged that Wakode had been threatened with a possible suspension for his actions during the exam, which they believe could have deeply impacted his mental state. These claims, however, lack independent verification and are contrary to the official communications from the institute.

Protests and Calls for Accountability

The recent death has led to significant unrest among the student community, culminating in their demands for accountability from the Director of IIT Bombay, Prof Shireesh Kedare. Protesters called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s suicide, voicing concerns about the broader academic environment at the institute.

Reports indicate that the protests resulted in the postponement of ongoing mid-semester examinations to accommodate the students’ demonstrations. As students continue to seek answers and improvements in mental health support, the role of the institution in preventing future tragedies is under intense scrutiny.

Mumbai Police are currently investigating the circumstances leading to Wakode’s death, while IIT Bombay has stated it is extending support to students and staff affected by this unfortunate incident. The ongoing dialogue within the campus community aims to address critical issues surrounding student welfare and academic pressures.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share