IIT Bombay suicide sparks row over academic stress, caste bias; FIR filed against professor

After the demise of a 22-year-old BTech student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, a police case has been registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities Act, alleging caste discrimination and pressure on campus. Possibly, for the first time, an FIR has been registered against an IIT Bombay professor in connection with a suicide case. Social media has also been flooded with posts, raising questions over academic pressure on students.

The second student died by suicide in his hostel room after he was allegedly caught using his mobile phone during an examination. The IIT Bombay professor, Suryanarayana Doolla from the energy science department, named in the FIR, was the invigilator during this exam.

Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a native of Maharashtra's Yavatmal district, died by suicide by hanging from the ceiling fan in his room in Hostel Number 4 on the IIT Bombay's campus in Powai. Wakode was a 2nd-year BTech student in the Energy Science and Engineering department.

According to IIT Bombay, the student had allegedly uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers during the exam.

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Parents alleges caste discrimination

The student's parents arrived in Mumbai from Yavatmal and claimed their son was subjected to institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination prior to his death. However, no suicide note was found at the spot, the police said.

Several media reports suggest that Wakode's mother alleged her son was tortured. "My son was killed, tortured. I want justice," she said.

A case has been registered at Powai police station under section 108 (abetment of suicide) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with relevant provisions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on the complaint of his parents, the police said.

The student's death came to light after his hostel mates got no response from his room and alerted the authorities, who then informed the police.

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Suicide sparks debate on academic pressures

Several IIT scholars have raised questions over academic structures, pressures related to performing well academically, a "cutthroat" competition, and also criticized a lack of empathy and called for balanced academics with student well-being.

While some, on the other hand, are defending the rigorous environment around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for producing talent and high earnings.

A few students also suggested that students should have an option of lower grades rather than "academic sabotage" in such cases.

IIT Bombay students protest

The incident also triggered protests on campus, with students demanding an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the demise of the student.

IIT Bombay, in a statement, said that the student was found using a mobile phone in the exam hall earlier that day; however, no 'disciplinary action' was initiated against him, it stated.

The instructor and the head of the department held discussions with the student and counselled him, and assured him the incident would not adversely affect his academic career. He subsequently returned to his hostel room and was found dead later in the evening.

"The Institute is extending support to the student's friends, classmates, faculty members, and others affected by this tragic incident," the statement said. The circumstances surrounding the death are being probed, IITB added.

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Suicides at IIT Bombay

This is the third case reported at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai in the last seven months. Early in February, a second-year student died by suicide in a hostel, and then later in July 2026, at the beginning of the new semester, a 20-year-old second-year BTech student also died by suicide .

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.