Justice for Sahil Wakode
Sahil Wakode was not just a student. He was a son, a brother, a friend, and a young person with an entire life ahead of him.

He was a second-year student at IIT Bombay. Whatever mistake he may have made, he deserved dignity, compassion, due process, and the opportunity to learn and grow.

If the allegation was academic misconduct, we must ask:

Is cheating in an examination a punishment deserving of death?

We are not asking academic misconduct to be ignored. We are asking for transparency, accountability, proportionality, compassion, and institutional responsibility.

Questions that deserve answers
Reports indicate that a mobile phone was found with Sahil during the examination. If possession of a phone was prohibited, that can be investigated. But:

• How was it established that the phone was actually used for cheating?
• The phone was reportedly found around 12:45 PM, only minutes before the exam ended. Given the availability of CCTV footage, what evidence established that the paper—or a substantial portion of it—was copied?
• How was the allegation that ChatGPT was used established? Was Sahil's phone searched? Were personal chats or other private information accessed? If so, under what institutional rules and legal authority?
• Why was a public statement reportedly issued describing the incident as “cheating using ChatGPT” before the complete disciplinary process had established the facts?
• Was Sahil informed of the allegations, given a meaningful opportunity to defend himself, and informed of his right to appeal?
• Was this his first alleged offence? How were comparable cases handled? Were students in similar circumstances treated consistently?
• Why was Sahil taken to the HOD during the examination, and was the procedure prescribed by IIT Bombay's rules followed?
• If CCTV footage reached the media, who disclosed it, and why? If IIT Bombay did not release it, will the institution clarify how it became public?
  These are not accusations. They are questions that deserve transparent answers.

We call upon IIT Bombay to:

• Ensure an independent, fair and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sahil's death.
• Establish whether examination and disciplinary procedures were followed.
• Clarify the evidence supporting the allegations of phone-based and ChatGPT-assisted cheating.
• Review how Sahil's phone, personal information and CCTV footage were handled.
• Examine whether institutional processes or interactions contributed to his distress.
• Ensure students facing disciplinary action receive due process, the right to be heard and meaningful avenues of appeal.
• Review how similar cases have been handled and whether disciplinary measures are proportionate and consistent.
• Strengthen mental-health safeguards for students facing academic or disciplinary pressure.
• Ensure academic-integrity procedures protect student dignity, privacy and wellbeing

A mistake should not erase a human life.
A mistake should have consequences.
A mistake should be an opportunity to learn.
A mistake should allow a young person to make amends and move forward.

A mistake should never erase a person's humanity.

If you have ever made an academic mistake, ask yourself:

Did you deserve to die because of it?

Sahil deserved the chance to learn, grow, make amends, and continue living his life.

Justice, not revenge.
Accountability, not assumptions.
Transparency, not speculation.
Compassion, not condemnation.

Every student is someone's child, sibling, or friend.

Please sign and share this petition in memory of Sahil Wakode and in support of a more humane, transparent and accountable educational system.