A second-year BTech student allegedly died by suicide at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay campus in Powai on Friday, after he was found using a mobile phone during an examination. According to an official statement from the institute, the student had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.
IIT Bombay said no disciplinary action had been initiated and that the student had been counselled by the instructor and Head of Department, who assured him the incident would not affect his academic career.
He later returned to his hostel room, where he was found dead.
Following the incident, a section of students gathered on campus to protest and demand accountability and transparency from the institute administration.
Police personnel were deployed on the campus following the incident as students and the administration held discussions over their concerns.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Dattatray Nalawade said the investigation into the student’s death was underway.
“Today, a student died by suicide at IIT Powai. Following this, some IIT students gathered and started a protest over their demands. The IIT administration is holding discussions with them to reach an amicable solution," Nalawade told reporters, as per news agency ANI.
When asked about the nature of the students’ demands, the DCP said they were related to internal administrative issues that had been addressed by the institute in the past as well
He added that the administration was continuing to engage with the protesting students.
“The students have internal administrative issues which the IIT administration has addressed in the past as well, and the administration is actively speaking with the students right now too," Nalawade said.
According to the DCP, some of the protesting students had dispersed, while others remained on the ground as discussions continued.
“Some students are still protesting, and efforts are being made to speak with them as well," he said.
Among those participating in the protest, a student said the demonstration was prompted by the death on campus and what he described as a series of similar incidents.
“The reason for our protest today is that a suicide took place in our college today. That is why we have gathered to protest, to demand accountability, transparency, and answers from our administration," the student said.
He alleged that the incident was not the first such tragedy at the institute, claiming that “four have happened this year alone, and two within the last two months."
He said students did not know why such incidents were taking place or what the reasons behind them were.
The student also outlined the students’ demands, saying they wanted the administration to take responsibility and introduce corrective measures.
He specifically raised concerns about the conduct of professors towards students.
“First, the administration must be held answerable. Professors who mistreat students or behave harshly need to be held in check," he said.
He added that students wanted the Dean, Director and administration to provide a report assuring them that the matter would be examined and that accountability and transparency would be ensured.
“We simply want the Dean, the Director, and the administration to provide a report assuring us that they will look into the matter, ensure accountability and transparency, and guarantee that such incidents do not happen again on their watch," the student said.
However, another student said the focus should remain on grieving the death rather than turning the situation into a confrontation between students and the administration.
“All of us are deeply devastated. It is shocking and heartbreaking. Whatever happened, it feels like he was one of us, and someone among us has been left behind," the student said.
He urged students not to assign blame while the campus was dealing with the tragedy.
“I don’t think we should be blaming anyone at a moment like this. I feel that everyone is going through something; everyone has struggles in their mind. I don’t think we should be pointing fingers at each other," he said.
He said the situation was increasingly becoming an “‘Administration vs. Students’ conflict" and called for students and the administration to stand together.
“Right now, it is turning into an ‘Administration vs. Students’ conflict. What we really need is to stand together at this moment," he said.
Police remained deployed on the campus as discussions between the students and the administration continued.
