IIT Bombay suicide case: H C Verma flags ‘unethical’ exam culture among students
In short
- Second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode died by suicide at IIT Bombay on September 18, 2026.
- H C Verma, an IIT Kanpur professor, described the incident as 'very painful' and highlighted the normalisation of dummy schools and high practical marks without laboratory attendance.
- IIT Bombay stated that Wakode was found using a mobile phone to upload an examination question paper to an AI platform for answers.
- Following student protests, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was temporarily suspended from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs on Monday.
- Mumbai Police registered an FIR against Professor Doolla based on a complaint from Wakode's parents alleging caste-based discrimination.
H C Verma, a physicist and professor at IIT Kanpur, has flagged an ‘unethical’ exam culture among students following the death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode at IIT Bombay on September 18, 2026. Verma described the incident as ‘very painful’ and part of a broader discussion on gaps in the education system.
The incident has intensified debates and protests at IIT Bombay, leading to the temporary suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and the constitution of a high-level panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
Concerns over Unethical Exam Practices
Verma highlighted what he termed the ‘unnatural lifestyle’ of students, where parents and coaching teachers encourage skipping regular school attendance while still appearing for board examinations. He stated that this practice, along with the normalisation of dummy and non-attending schools, contributes to an ‘unethical’ exam culture that is ‘not an isolated event’.
According to Verma, students in many reputed schools can receive high practical marks despite not attending laboratory classes. He pointed out that 30 marks in practical examinations have almost become ‘a gift’, with students being awarded at least 28 out of 30 marks despite not going to the laboratory, and that ‘no one is ashamed’ of this practice. Verma urged society to ‘rethink the priorities’ regarding student preparation time and overall educational approach.
IIT Bombay’s Response and Student Protests
IIT Bombay confirmed that Sahil Wakode was found using a mobile phone in the examination hall and had uploaded the examination question paper on an AI platform to seek answers. Following Wakode’s death, students at IIT Bombay began protesting, demanding action and a thorough investigation into the circumstances.
After four consecutive days of student protests, the IIT Bombay Board of Governors asked Professor Suryanarayana Doolla to go on leave. On Monday, the IIT Bombay Board of Governors temporarily suspended Doolla from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs with immediate effect. The Board also constituted a 10-member high-level panel to examine the circumstances leading to Wakode’s death.
Police Investigation and Discrimination Allegations
The Mumbai Police have initiated an investigation into the death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay. An FIR was registered against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla based on a complaint filed by Wakode’s parents. The parents allege that their son experienced caste-based discrimination at the hands of Professor Doolla, which they believe contributed to the circumstances surrounding his death. This police investigation is currently ongoing.
Concurrently with the Mumbai Police’s inquiry, the IIT Bombay Board of Governors has constituted a 10-member high-level panel. This panel’s mandate is to thoroughly examine the circumstances that led to Wakode’s death. The internal inquiry by IIT Bombay and the police investigation will both work to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident and the serious allegations of discrimination made by Wakode’s parents.
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