⚡ Quick Answer
No, IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare has not officially resigned. A video of him addressing angry students during a night-long protest went viral on social media, leading many to speculate that he had quit. As of the latest confirmed reports, Prof. Kedare remains in his post, though student groups continue to demand his resignation following the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode on September 18, 2026.
Who Is Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay?
Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare is an alumnus of IIT Bombay and previously served as a senior faculty member in the institute's Department of Energy Science and Engineering. He took over as the Director of IIT Bombay on May 6, 2024, succeeding Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, who had led the institute through several earlier controversies, including the 2023 death of student Darshan Solanki. Kedare's tenure has now been thrust into the national spotlight following a fresh wave of protests on the Powai campus.
What Triggered the Protests: The Sahil Wakode Case
The unrest began after Sahil Wakode, a 19-year-old second-year BTech student from Yavatmal, Maharashtra, studying in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of Friday, September 18, 2026. Police said no suicide note was recovered, and an Accidental Death Report was initially registered.
According to IIT Bombay's own statement, Wakode had been found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination earlier that day and had allegedly uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT. The institute maintains that he was counselled afterward and assured that no disciplinary action would be taken and that his academic record would remain unaffected. Hours later, he was found dead in his room.
His parents, who reached the campus from Yavatmal, alleged that institutional pressure and mishandling of the situation contributed to their son's death. Following their complaint at the Powai police station, Mumbai Police registered a formal FIR, and the case is now under active investigation, including a review of CCTV footage and the student's phone data.
The Viral Video: Did the Director Actually Resign?
As protests grew overnight, more than 400 students gathered near the main gate demanding immediate answers. Reports indicate Director Kedare met with students roughly four hours after the demonstrations began, and later interacted with them again at the Convocation Hall in the early hours of Saturday, September 19. A clip from this exchange, showing the Director being confronted by a large crowd of visibly angry students, was widely shared on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and WhatsApp — and it is this video that sparked the "resignation" rumour.
However, despite the viral spread of the clip, there has been no official confirmation from IIT Bombay, the Ministry of Education, or Prof. Kedare himself of any resignation. The demonstrations continued even after his appearance, with students saying his response fell short of their demands for accountability.
Timeline: Recent Student Deaths at IIT Bombay
Sahil Wakode's death is being described in multiple reports as the fourth such incident at IIT Bombay within roughly seven months, reviving concerns about mental health infrastructure at the elite institute.
| Date | Student | Department |
|---|---|---|
| February 4, 2026 | Naman Agarwal | BTech, Civil Engineering |
| July 28, 2026 | Sohil Rajkumar Sangwan | BTech, Material Engineering |
| September 18, 2026 | Sahil Wakode | BTech, Energy Science & Engineering |
What Are Students Demanding?
- Immediate resignation of Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare
- Resignation of the Dean of Student Affairs
- Action against the exam invigilator on duty during the incident
- An independent, publicly disclosed inquiry into the last four student deaths at IIT Bombay
- Mandatory mental-health sensitisation workshops for faculty
- Improved accessibility and staffing of campus wellness centres
In response to the unrest, the institute postponed its ongoing mid-semester examinations and said it was extending support to the deceased student's friends, classmates and faculty.
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What Happens Next?
With an FIR now registered, police attention will likely shift to reconstructing the hours between the examination incident and Wakode's death. Meanwhile, the pressure on IIT Bombay's administration — and on Prof. Kedare specifically — is unlikely to ease soon, given this is the fourth such tragedy in under a year. Whether the institute's Board of Governors or the Ministry of Education intervenes, or whether Prof. Kedare eventually does step down, remains unconfirmed as this is a fast-developing story. This article will be updated as verified information becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the current director of IIT Bombay?
Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, an IIT Bombay alumnus and former faculty member of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, has been Director since May 6, 2024, succeeding Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri.
Did IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare resign?
No. There is no official confirmation of his resignation. A viral video of him facing angry protesters sparked speculation, but as of the latest reports, he remains in office.
Why are IIT Bombay students protesting right now?
Students are protesting the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode, alleging that the administration's handling of an exam cheating incident contributed to his death, and are demanding accountability and transparency.
Who was Sahil Wakode?
A 19-year-old second-year BTech student from Yavatmal, Maharashtra, in IIT Bombay's Department of Energy Science and Engineering, found dead in his hostel room on September 18, 2026.
What did IIT Bombay say about the ChatGPT exam incident?
The institute said Wakode was caught using a phone during an exam and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT, but he was counselled, no disciplinary action was taken, and he was assured his academic record was safe.
Has an FIR been filed in the Sahil Wakode case?
Yes, Mumbai Police registered an FIR after the student's parents approached the Powai police station alleging institutional pressure. The probe is ongoing.
How many student deaths have occurred at IIT Bombay recently?
Wakode's death is reported as the fourth such incident in roughly seven months, following earlier deaths of students Naman Agarwal and Sohil Rajkumar Sangwan in 2026.
What are protesting students demanding from the administration?
Resignation of the Director, Dean of Student Affairs, and exam invigilator; an independent public inquiry into recent student deaths; mandatory faculty mental-health training; and better-resourced wellness centres.
Conclusion
As of now, IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare has not resigned — the viral video shows him engaging with protesting students, not stepping down. But the pressure on the administration is real and growing, with a fourth student death in seven months triggering demands for structural accountability rather than just individual resignations. We'll continue to track this story and update this article as official confirmations emerge.