6 days ago
IIT Delhi Reconstitutes Inquiry Panel Amid Protests Over Student Death
IIT Delhi students are protesting after MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar died last week.
More than 500 students want an independent investigation and accountability.
They also say he had problems with housing and academics after returning from mental-health treatment.
IIT Delhi says his semester-withdrawal requests were approved and that he received treatment and support.
The institute says students can access counsellors and psychiatrists at any time.
It also lists tutoring, lighter first-semester workloads and several complaint systems.
The institute changed its outside investigation committee after students objected to its first membership.
Retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta now leads the committee.
Delhi Police is separately investigating a case alleging abetment of suicide.
More than 500 students are protesting after MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar died last week.
Protesters are seeking an independent inquiry, official accountability and stronger student-welfare safeguards.
IIT Delhi says students have round-the-clock access to counsellors and psychiatrists, with external care fully reimbursed.
The institute has cited reduced academic loads, tutoring, wellness programmes and multiple grievance channels.
The inquiry panel was reconstituted under retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta, while Delhi Police investigates an alleged abetment-of-suicide case.
- Who
- IIT Delhi students, the institute administration, Rishikesh Kumar's family and Delhi Police are involved; Justice Mukta Gupta chairs the reconstituted inquiry panel.
- What
- Students are protesting Kumar's death and demanding an independent inquiry, accountability and stronger welfare safeguards, while IIT Delhi has outlined its support systems.
- Where
- The protests are taking place on the IIT Delhi campus in New Delhi.
- When
- The protests began after Kumar died last week; the Academic Progress Group has operated since 2023, and several other reforms were introduced in 2024-25 and 2025.
- Why
- Students have raised concerns about Kumar's hostel, academic and welfare-related difficulties and questioned whether existing support mechanisms were sufficient.
Protesting Students
IIT Delhi Administration
Independence of the inquiry
Protesting Students
Students objected to the original external inquiry committee and demanded a more independent investigation.
IIT Delhi Administration
IIT Delhi reconstituted the panel and appointed retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta as chairperson.
Adequacy of support systems
Protesting Students
Students are questioning whether existing mechanisms adequately addressed Kumar's hostel, academic and welfare-related difficulties.
IIT Delhi Administration
The institute says it already provides round-the-clock counselling and psychiatric access, reimbursed external care, emergency protocols and academic support.
Kumar's difficulties after treatment
Protesting Students
Students allege Kumar faced hostel and academic problems after returning to campus following mental-health treatment.
IIT Delhi Administration
IIT Delhi says his semester-withdrawal requests were approved and that he received treatment and support.
Key facts
- Student
- Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old MSc Physics student
- Protest participation
- More than 500 students
- Key demands
- An independent inquiry, accountability from officials and stronger student-welfare safeguards
- Inquiry chair
- Retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta
- Mental-health access
- 24/7 access to counsellors and psychiatrists, including experts from AIIMS and VIMHANS
- Academic support
- Evening tutoring and credit-backlog assistance through the Academic Progress Group since 2023
- Police investigation
- Delhi Police has registered an FIR alleging abetment of suicide
Sources
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