The incident unfolded in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering when exam officials discovered a second‑year student using a mobile phone during a midterm.
IIT Bombay released a statement saying that the student had uploaded the exam paper to ChatGPT to seek answers and that no disciplinary action would be taken. The institute added that the student was counseled by the instructor and the head of the department before returning to his hostel.
Students that day gathered on the Powai campus, alleging that the student had been threatened with a one‑year suspension that would force him to leave campus and potentially extend his degree to five years. They said the fear and pressure surrounding the alleged threat may have contributed to the tragic outcome.
Mumbai police have registered an FIR in connection with the death and are investigating the circumstances. Mental‑health helplines, including the Vandrevala Foundation, have been urged to offer support to students.
One of the student’s classmates, who was present in the hall at the time, said the atmosphere was tense and that the student looked visibly distressed after the discovery.