NEW DELHI: A second-year IIT Bombay student died by suicide on Friday (Sept 18), hours after he was found using ChatGPT to seek answers during an examination, according to the institute.
His death triggered protests on the Powai campus, with students demanding accountability and transparency from the administration.
IIT Bombay said the student had been found using a mobile phone in the examination hall earlier in the day. He had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.
The institute said no disciplinary action was initiated against him.
The instructor and Head of Department discussed the matter with the student and counselled him. He was also assured that the episode would not adversely affect his academic career.
The student later returned to his hostel room and was found dead in the evening.
"Earlier in the day, during an examination, the student was found using a mobile phone in the exam hall.
"He had uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers. No disciplinary action was initiated against the student.
"The matter was also discussed with the student by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
"The student subsequently returned to his hostel room. Later in the evening, he was found dead in his room," the statement said.
IIT Bombay said the circumstances surrounding his death were being examined by the appropriate authorities.
IIT Bombay students demand ‘accountability, transparency’
The death sparked a protest on campus, with students seeking answers from the administration.
Police personnel were deployed as discussions began between the students and institute authorities.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Dattatray Nalawade said an investigation 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.
Pranay, one of the protesting students, said the demonstration was about what students saw as a wider pattern of deaths on campus.
“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,” he said.
He alleged that four such incidents had occurred this year, including two in the past two months.
"First, the administration must be held answerable. Professors who mistreat students or behave harshly need to be held in check.
"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," Pranay said.
Police say talks underway with protesting students
Nalawade said students had raised internal administrative issues and that the institute was engaging with them.
"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," he said.
Some protesters had dispersed while others remained as discussions continued, according to the DCP.
‘What we really need is to stand together’
Another student, Ansh, struck a different note and cautioned against immediately turning the death 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," he said.
He urged students to avoid assigning blame while the circumstances remained under investigation.
"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. Right now, it is turning into an ‘Administration vs. Students’ conflict. What we really need is to stand together at this moment," Ansh said. - The Statesman/ANN
***Those contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935/ 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999/ 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s family, social and community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); or Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929/email sam@befrienders.org.my/visit www.befrienders.org.my/centre- in-malaysia).
