IISER Kolkata Scholar’s Death Sparks Allegations of ‘Institutional Murder

Rapid Summary

• Incident: IISER Kolkata has formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the unnatural death of 25-year-old PhD scholar Anamitra Roy, who passed away on August 8, 2025.
• Details: mr. Roy was found unconscious in a laboratory and later pronounced dead at AIIMS Kalyani. His death is being viewed as suicide but alleged to be caused by institutional neglect and abuse.
• Accusations: A police complaint filed by the family named fellow scholar Sourabh Biswas and supervisor Professor Anindita Bhadra, accusing them of abusive behavior and negligence. These individuals were also mentioned in Mr. RoyS social media posts before his death.
• Social Media Post: Mr. Roy detailed repeated abuse by Sourabh Biswas, lack of action from the anti-ragging cell, and oversight by Professor Bhadra in handling his complaints. He demanded an apology via official email for “repeated instances of abusive behavior.”
• Personal Struggles: Mr. Roy disclosed he had Asperger’s Syndrome and faced physical/mental abuse from parents; he linked these struggles with ongoing harassment at IISER Kolkata.
• Professional Contributions: He worked in the ‘Dog Lab’ under Professor Bhadra and contributed considerably to published research on dog behavior.
• reactions: The Students’ Federation of India has blamed the institute’s negligence for his death and sought a meeting with IISER’s director.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The tragic case surrounding Anamitra Roy’s death raises serious questions about institutional accountability within academic environments in India. While IISER Kolkata swiftly established a fact-finding committee involving internal and external members, allegations-including systemic failure to address harassment complaints-highlight gaps in grievance resolution mechanisms within prestigious research institutes.

This incident underscores broader concerns about mental health support for students navigating high-pressure academic settings compounded by personal challenges such as those disclosed by Mr. Roy (e.g., Asperger’s Syndrome). Furthermore, what appears to be neglectful responses from anti-ragging cells may call for comprehensive reforms across educational institutions nationwide to ensure timely intervention against bullying or toxic environments.

While law enforcement investigates legal culpability thru filed complaints against named individuals-Sourabh Biswas and Professor Bhadra-it is imperative that findings lead not only to justice but also constructive steps toward creating safer campuses prioritizing academic integrity alongside student welfare.

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