Mumbai, September 19: In a tragic incident, Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay, took his own life on the evening of September 18, 2026, in his hostel room. Hailing from Yavatmal, Maharashtra, Sahil was pursuing a degree in Energy Science and Engineering.
Reports indicate that Sahil was caught using a mobile phone in the examination hall, attempting to upload a photo of the question paper on ChatGPT to cheat.
Following his death, around 400 students gathered on campus to protest, expressing their anger and frustration. A video of a female student from the protest went viral, showcasing her emotional plea for mental health awareness among professors.
She stated, “All professors should undergo mental health counseling to understand the mental state and needs of students. Telling us not to stress does not alleviate our stress.” This protest has sparked a renewed debate on mental health within the campus.
Third Suicide in Seven Months
This incident marks the third suicide at IIT Bombay in just seven months. Earlier, a 20-year-old B.Tech second-year student also committed suicide in the same hostel at the beginning of the new semester in July. Another second-year student took his life in February in Hostel-4.
Over the past five years, the primary reasons for suicides among IIT students have included academic pressure, placement and stress, mental health issues, increasing cases of ragging or harassment, and financial and familial pressures.
Previous Case at IIT Delhi
On August 22, a student named Rishikesh Kumar from IIT Delhi also committed suicide, jumping from the sixth floor of the lecture hall complex. His body was brought back to his village in Begusarai for the last rites four days later. Rishikesh was pursuing an MSc in Physics.
According to police, he entered the campus around 8 AM, and a PCR call regarding the incident was received at 8:33 AM. He was declared dead at the IIT hospital, with no suicide note found. His mobile phone has been taken for investigation.
Students at IIT Delhi protested outside the lecture hall complex following Rishikesh’s suicide, demanding accountability from the administration.
Rishikesh was reportedly distressed over not securing a hostel room, leading him to stay off-campus with his mother. This situation contributed to his mental distress, as students argue that it isolated him from his classmates and support network.
Students are now demanding the resignation of the Dean of Student Affairs, Associate Dean, and the Head of the Physics Department, along with a compensation of ₹1 crore for Rishikesh’s family.