IIT-B student death: Sahil Wakode apologised for cheating in exam, sought second chance, say cops
Police investigating the death of an IIT Bombay student have revealed that the student had submitted a written apology for cheating in an exam shortly before his death. The investigation includes allegations of caste-based discrimination and harassment against a professor, which the accused has denied.
Why it matters
The case highlights critical issues regarding academic pressure, mental health, and systemic discrimination within elite educational institutions.
A 22-year-old IIT Bombay student who died hours after being caught cheating in an exam last month had submitted a written apology to the institute seeking a second chance, police said on Tuesday (October 13, 2026).
The Mumbai crime branch, which is investigating the death, has recorded statements of more than 40 people, including IIT-B director Shireesh Kedare and professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who faces allegations of harassment and caste-based discrimination from the deceased student’s parents, an official said.
Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student, was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after being caught while allegedly using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
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