Now Reading: IIT Delhi forms probe panel after student death, students reject it
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IIT Delhi forms probe panel after student death, students reject it
IIT Delhi has set up an external inquiry committee to investigate the death of M.Sc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar, who died by suicide. The committee, headed by former Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar,…
IIT Delhi has set up an external inquiry committee to investigate the death of M.Sc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar, who died by suicide. The committee, headed by former Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar, includes a psychiatrist from AIIMS Delhi and two student representatives. It has been asked to submit a report within two weeks.
Students protesting on campus have rejected the panel, calling it a routine measure that does not address underlying issues. They questioned the counselling system, alleging that genuine distress is often dismissed with advice like 'just go rest'. The protest continues, with demands for the resignation of the Dean of Student Affairs, Associate Deans, and the Physics HOD.
The institute said Kumar joined in July 2025, developed mental health issues in March 2026, and was advised parental supervision. He withdrew from two semesters and lived off-campus. IIT Delhi has announced financial support for his family and plans to appoint an external ombudsperson and introduce a mentoring system.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Rishikesh Kumar's death is the latest in a string of student suicides at IITs, which have repeatedly raised questions about academic pressure and mental health support on campus. The IIT council and the Ministry of Education have issued guidelines in the past, but implementation varies by institute. The key test will be whether the external committee, which includes a psychiatrist and student representatives, makes recommendations that go beyond the standard two-week inquiry cycle. Students have rejected similar panels before, and their demand for accountability from the Dean's office suggests the trust deficit runs deep. The institute's proposed ombudsperson and mentoring system will be watched closely as a signal of whether it is willing to change its grievance mechanisms.
Source: timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
