IIT Bombay Student Suicide Triggers Scrutiny of Academic Discipline, Caste Allegations, and Mental-Health Support

On September 18, 2026, Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, died by suicide in his hostel room after an alleged academic-misconduct episode during a mid-semester exam, when an invigilator asked him to leave the hall for using a mobile phone.

The Indian Express

Admission to IITs follows the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), after which students confront intense competition in academics, internships and placements. IIT Bombay recorded three student suicides in 2026—Wakode, Naman Aggarwal (February 4) and Sohil Rajkumar Sangwan (July 28)—and ten suicides across all IITs since 2021, many involving students from SC, ST, OBC or minority groups.

The Hindu

IIT Bombay’s academic-misconduct policy requires an invigilator to confiscate prohibited material, issue a fresh answer book and submit a report to the Head of Department. In mid-2026 the Senate approved a revision that makes possession of an unauthorised device punishable by a “FR2” (fail) grade and a full-semester suspension, even for a first offence, without needing proof of use. No public notice of this change has been located.

The Hindu

• An unsigned post on IIT Bombay’s X account at 3:23 pm on September 19 said the student was caught using a phone and uploading the question paper to ChatGPT, but that “no disciplinary action was initiated” and that faculty had counselled him.

The Hindu

• Director Shirish Kedare met protesting students on September 21, accepted all 18 demands—including suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla—and promised further talks on September 22.

The Hindu

• The Mumbai Crime Branch, now handling the case, has placed Doolla on leave and scheduled his questioning on September 23. Officials are seeking forensic access to the student’s phone and CCTV footage.

First Post

Senior consultant psychiatrist Dr Santosh Bangar (Gleneagles Hospital) warned that prolonged pressure without adequate emotional support can lead to stress, anxiety and burnout. The revised punitive regime—particularly a semester-long suspension—has been criticised for its severity, as it removes a student from his cohort and adds stigma, especially in a year that already saw multiple suicides at IIT Bombay.

The Indian Express

• The initial IIT statement alleged Wakode uploaded the exam paper to ChatGPT; a later retraction left the claim unverified.

The Hindu

• No public invigilator report, seizure memo or D-ADAC referral has been released, contrary to procedural requirements.

The Hindu

• Some students claim Wakode was threatened with immediate suspension; others point to CCTV showing only brief questioning before he left the hall.

First Post

• The role of caste-based harassment remains contested, with parents filing an FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act while some peers dispute the claim.

The Hindu

• “It is important to aspire to become the best version of yourself, but that should not come at the cost of your mental peace or well-being,” — Rituparna Ghosh, senior consultant psychologist.

The Indian Express

IIT Bombay has formed a committee with equal faculty and student representation to draft a student-friendly SOP for handling suspected academic misconduct. Proposals include allowing students to consult a mentor before disciplinary review and printing misconduct consequences on the first page of answer sheets. The revised exam schedule now places the postponed mid-semester papers on October 10. The Mumbai Crime Branch continues its investigation, including forensic analysis of the student’s phone and further questioning of faculty and witnesses.

The Indian Express