A police source has said that Sahil Wakode, 22, second year student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, had been caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT in an exam and felt bad about it, asking to be given another chance.
Wakode died in his hostel room of IIT Bombay campus, Powai on Sept 18. The incident happened several hours after the alleged exam cheating.
Wakode’s friendly-worded appeal after being confronted for the incident came after asking police for strong support, according to a police official. Details of his death are still under investigation.
Professor Questioned Over Parents’ Allegations
The student was allegedly spotted by Professor Suryanarayana Doolla. After Wakode’s death, his parents faulted the professor for discrimination against their son due to their caste.
Doolla said he had denied both allegations and that no one had been mentally harassed amongst the students. As part of the investigation, the professor has been questioned for over 8 hours.
In addition, Mumbai Police have also taken statements from nearly 40 other individuals, including director of IIT Mumbai Shireesh Kedare, to probe the allegations and get to the bottom of the incident.
Earlier, IIT Bombay had said that it has not taken any disciplinary action against Wakode. The investigation of the incident of the exam and the events leading to his death are under scrutiny.
Institute’s Examination Rules Under Scrutiny
A police source says the head of a 10-member committee at the institute notified investigators that a rule that called for failing grades and suspension from classes for anyone found copying using an electronic device had been removed in August.
The information comes as part of the proceedings of the investigation into the examination aspects of the institute and the events surrounding Wakode’s death.
Additional statements and pertinent information is still being reviewed. It is a matter of investigation and no finding can be made until the investigation is finished with regard to who was responsible for the violation of the code of conduct or for the response.