IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode Warned of 1-Year Suspension for Using ChatGPT in Exam? What Institute Said
IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode died by suicide hours after he was caught using a mobile phone during an examination, with the institute saying he had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers. Following his death, students protested on campus and alleged that Wakode had been warned of a one-year suspension over the incident.
Mumbai, September 19: IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode died by suicide hours after he was caught using a mobile phone during an examination, with the institute saying he had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers. Following his death, students protested on campus and alleged that Wakode had been warned of a one-year suspension over the incident.
The claim has not been independently verified. IIT Bombay, in its statement, said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against Wakode before his death and that he had been counselled by the instructor and Head of the Department, reports said.
Was Sahil Wakode Warned of 1-Year Suspension?
Students protesting at IIT Bombay alleged that Wakode was threatened with a one-year suspension after he was caught using his mobile phone during the examination. IIT Bombay Student Dies by Suicide After Being Caught Using ChatGPT During Exam; Protest Erupts.
According to the protesting students, such a suspension could have required Wakode to vacate his hostel and stay outside the campus. They also claimed that the disciplinary action could have affected the duration of his engineering course.
However, IIT Bombay has denied that any disciplinary action had been initiated against the student.
What IIT Bombay Said About Sahil Wakode
IIT Bombay said Wakode, a second-year student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found using a mobile phone during the examination. IIT Mandi PhD Student Dies by Suicide in Rented Room After Exam Results.
The institute said he had uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers. The matter was subsequently discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department.
According to IIT Bombay, Wakode was counselled and assured that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
The institute said Wakode subsequently returned to his hostel room and was later found dead there.
Students Demand Accountability
Following Wakode's death, students held protests at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, demanding transparency and accountability from the administration.
The protesters questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident and sought answers from the institute. Their allegations regarding the alleged one-year suspension have not been independently established.
The circumstances surrounding Wakode's death are subject to further investigation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2026 01:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).