The body was found hanging from a rail in Wakode’s hostel at 10 a.m., according to Mumbai Police. The student had been flagged by Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla after exam monitors noticed a mobile phone in his hand.
Witnesses say Wakode had been scrolling through a ChatGPT interface while the test ran for three hours, a breach that triggered instant disciplinary notification.
Wakode’s father, Ravindra, claimed the professor had used caste‑based remarks, alleging discrimination. He told reporters, "My son was told he could not get an IIT seat because of his background."
IIT Bombay released a statement saying no disciplinary action had been taken against Wakode and that an internal review was underway. Doolla was temporarily removed as dean of student welfare and placed on leave.
Students gathered at Azad Maidan and on campus, demanding transparency. Jaya, a senior, said, "The campus feels more like a pressure cooker than a learning environment."
The university will convene a disciplinary committee on September 25 to determine if any further sanctions are warranted.