IIT Bombay Student's Father To Defy Legal Risk, Launch Protest

Sahil Wakode, a second-year engineering student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, was discovered hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18. The incident occurred hours after the student was caught allegedly accessing ChatGPT on his mobile phone during an examination, according to reports.

The student's father has announced plans to initiate a public protest against the institute's handling of the matter. Speaking to media, he expressed determination to proceed with the demonstration despite acknowledging the risk of potential arrest, signaling deep dissatisfaction with the circumstances surrounding his son's death.

The tragic incident has intensified scrutiny on IIT Bombay's disciplinary procedures and examination protocols. Questions have been raised about the institute's response to academic misconduct cases and whether institutional processes may have contributed to the student's distress in the hours preceding his death.

The case highlights ongoing tensions within academic institutions regarding the use of artificial intelligence tools by students and the consequences imposed for violations of examination rules. It has prompted broader discussions about student mental health support systems and the proportionality of disciplinary measures in educational settings.

IIT Bombay authorities have not released detailed statements regarding the circumstances or the institute's investigation into the matter. The student's family's planned protest underscores their call for accountability and transparency in the institution's handling of the incident.