IISER Launches Probe into PhD Student’s Unnatural Death

Quick Summary

• Incident: Anamtira Roy (24), a phd student in life sciences at IISER Kolkata, passed away on August 8, 2025, due to a suspected drug overdose.
• Inquiry Initiated: A fact-finding committee has been formed by IISER to probe the circumstances surrounding Roy’s death.
• Police Action: Roy’s family filed an FIR alleging severe mental harassment and bullying by two individuals from his research team. Social media posts made by Roy suggest prior incidents of harassment and distress.
• Context: Hours before his hospitalization, Roy reportedly had a heated argument with colleagues. He had previously made social media posts describing bullying and attempts to contact the internal complaints committee without receiving responses.
• Allegations: Roy’s cousin claimed that bullying led him to extreme mental stress. Past posts also mentioned autism as a factor contributing to misbehavior against him.
• Previous Incident at IISER: In April 2022,another PhD student named Subhadip Roy had died under similar circumstances involving alleged issues with a research guide.

For those experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts: Suicide Prevention Helplines.

Indian Opinion Analysis

the tragic death of Anamtira Roy raises concerning questions about mental health support systems within academic institutions like IISER Kolkata. Despite having counseling services and zero-tolerance policies for ragging, allegations indicating gaps in effectively addressing grievances have emerged. The claims of unresponsive complaint committees highlight an urgent need for more transparent mechanisms that ensure timely interventions.

Repeated instances like the death of Subhadip Roy in 2022 point toward systemic vulnerabilities requiring structural reforms across institute policies promoting inclusivity and safety for marginalized students such as those with autism or disabilities. India’s broader research ecosystem must emphasize fostering environments conducive not only to academic rigor but also psychological well-being through proactive measures against harassment.This case underscores public accountability for institutes while calling attention toward societal roles in countering institutional apathy toward mental health struggles frequently enough ignored until irreparable loss occurs.

Read More: The Hindu Article