# IIT Bombay student dies by suicide after exam ChatGPT use, parents protest 2026-09-19T06:12:05+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 4 independent outlets Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, died by suicide in his hostel room on Friday after being caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during an examination. The institute said no disciplinary action was taken and that he was counselled by the head of department and assured his academic career would not be affected. Students staged overnight protests demanding accountability, transparency, and a detailed probe. On Saturday morning, the student's parents joined the protest at the main gate, alleging discrimination on campus and demanding answers. The institute said it has eight psychologists on campus and will increase focus on mental health. Police are investigating, and talks between students and administration continue. ## Indian Opinion Analysis All four outlets report the same core facts, but differ in emphasis. Deccan Herald and New Indian Express foreground the institutional account that no disciplinary action was taken, while India Today adds the student demand for the director's resignation and compensation, a detail other outlets omit. Hindustan Times gives the most weight to the parents' protest and their allegation of discrimination. The uniform absence of any official comment on the alleged suspension threat that students cite is itself a gap. The third suicide on campus this year makes the administration's response the question: will it release the promised mental health plan and address the student body's specific demands? ## Coverage - deccanherald.com (neutral report) Leads with institute statement, reports protest claims without endorsing either side - newindianexpress.com (neutral report) Wire-style reporting, includes police and student quotes, balances both perspectives - indiatoday.in (sensationalist) Leads with death and protest, adds demand for resignation and compensation not in other sources - hindustantimes.com (neutral report) Foregrounds parents' protest and discrimination allegation, but attributes fully Tags: ChatGPT, IIT Bombay, Mumbai Police, Sahil Wakode Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/iit-bombay-student-dies-by-suicide-after-chatgpt-exam-row/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/iit-bombay-student-dies-by-suicide-after-chatgpt-exam-row/#story-in-brief