In a tragic incident, a second-year B.Tech student at IIT Bombay died by suicide on Friday (September 18, 2026), hours after he was reportedly found using unfair means in an examination. The death of the 19-year-old student caused widespread outrage among students, who staged protests on campus, leading to the postponement of the ongoing mid-semester examinations.
Divergent accounts emerged from the students and the administration about the circumstances that pushed the student to take the drastic step. According to students, the student named Sahil Wakode was found peeking at another student’s answer sheet during the examination, after which he was asked to leave the examination hall. He was subsequently told by the officials that he would face disciplinary action, including suspension. As per students, the fear of disciplinary action by the institute might have pushed him to take his life.
However, the institute administration disputed the students’ version of events and issued a statement. According to the administration, the student from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering was found using a mobile phone during the examination. He had uploaded the question paper on ChatGPT and sought answers.
The administration said that no disciplinary action was initiated against the student, and he was counselled by the instructor and the head of the department. They assured him that no action would be taken against him that would adversely affect his academic career. The student later went back to his hostel room and was found dead in the evening.
Mumbai | IIT Bombay: A second-year student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay died by suicide. Earlier in the day, during an examination, the student was found using a mobile phone in the exam hall. He had uploaded the examination question paper on… https://t.co/npWPmxhppn pic.twitter.com/f6aFnVsRzh
— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2026
“IIT Bombay is deeply saddened by the loss of a student. The Institute is extending support to the student’s friends, classmates, faculty members, and others affected by this tragic incident,” the institute said in its statement.
The incident triggered a massive protest inside the Powai campus. A source, who was on the IIT-Bombay campus at the time, told OpIndia, “A lot of students, about 200-300, are here at the main gate. They are trying to block the road and the main gate, and get the administration to listen. And they are asking the Director to come and hear them. This is happening right now.”
According to students, this is the fourth such incident at the institute this year alone. Two of the incidents happened within one month, causing panic and concern among the students. The students want the IIT administration to take steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future.
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Protesting student Pranay says, "I am a 3rd-year undergraduate student in the Electrical branch at IIT Bombay. We are protesting today because a suicide occurred at our college. We have come out to demand accountability and transparency from the… https://t.co/npWPmxhppn pic.twitter.com/nwPNqy8tbs
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026
Police arrived on the campus after receiving information about the incident. Heavy security was deployed amid the protests to take control of the situation. Speaking about the incident, DCP Dattatray Nalawade said that an investigation has been launched by the police into the death of the student.
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | DCP Dattatray Nalawade says, "A student died by suicide at IIT Powai today. Following this, some IIT students gathered and began protesting over their demands. Efforts are being made by the IIT administration to reach an amicable solution through… https://t.co/npWPmxhppn pic.twitter.com/O4tBCMtCYc
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026
“Today, a student died by suicide at IIT Powai. Following this, some IIT students gathered and started a protest over their demands. The IIT administration is holding discussions with them to reach an amicable solution,” DCP Dattatray said.
