A first-year BTech student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi was found dead in his room at the New Vindhyachal Apartment, located inside the campus, on the morning of Thursday, March 12. The student, who had been living on campus with his mother, was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan. IIT Delhi has since expressed deep grief over the “tragic and untimely” loss and said the institute is extending full support to the bereaved family.
How the body was discovered
The student’s mother had travelled to her ancestral village on March 10. Her last conversation with her son took place over phone at around 11 pm on the night of March 11. When she attempted to reach him repeatedly the following morning and received no response, she grew alarmed and alerted neighbours and campus security personnel. Upon opening the door to his room, the student was found hanging. Doctors from the IIT Delhi hospital were called to the scene and pronounced him dead.
Police investigation
Delhi Police and forensic teams, including a crime scene unit and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, reached the apartment and began their investigation. No suicide note was recovered from the room, meaning the exact cause and circumstances of death remain unclear. A statement was recorded from the student’s father, who, at least at this stage, has not raised any suspicion of foul play or conspiracy.
The student’s body was sent to Safdarjung Hospital for post-mortem examination and was subsequently handed over to family members after the procedure was completed.
IIT Delhi’s security officer filed a formal complaint referencing a Supreme Court order dated March 24, 2025, which had directed thorough investigations into deaths of students belonging to reserved categories on institutional campuses. On the basis of this complaint, Kishangarh Police Station registered FIR No. 75/26 under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which deals with abetment of suicide. Police are now examining the student’s mobile phone records and questioning acquaintances to determine whether he was under any form of mental or academic pressure in the period leading up to his death.
Institute’s response
IIT Delhi issued an official statement acknowledging the death and said: the institute stands with the bereaved family in this hour of grief and is providing all possible support. The statement described the demise as “tragic and untimely.”
Broader context
This incident comes against the backdrop of a deeply troubling pattern of student deaths at India’s premier engineering institutions. Just recently, a second-year civil engineering BTech student at IIT Bombay died by suicide in his hostel room, an incident that sparked widespread anger on campus, with students pointing to deteriorating hostel conditions and administrative decisions as factors contributing to mental health distress.
IIT Delhi had earlier adopted a protocol mandating the filing of an FIR whenever a suicide or other “unfortunate incident” occurs on campus — a decision that itself came following the Supreme Court’s directive to investigate student deaths, particularly those involving students from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe backgrounds.
The broader legislative response to this crisis is also gaining momentum. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently announced that his state would enact the Rohith Vemula Act across all higher education institutions. The proposed law, named after Rohith Vemula — a PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad who died by suicide on January 17, 2016 — aims to address caste-based discrimination and harassment faced by SC and ST students. Separately, the National Medical Commission has directed medical colleges to submit monthly reports on student suicides, ragging incidents, and faculty vacancies, signalling a growing institutional recognition of the mental health crisis gripping India’s higher education campuses.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to iCall at 9152987821 (India) or visit icallhelpline.org. You are not alone.
