Archive · 29 Aug 2026
IIT Delhi External Panel Probes Student Death, Approves Family Aid
An IIT Delhi student named Rishikesh Kumar died, and the institute has started an investigation.
A new outside committee is leading the investigation.
It is chaired by a retired Delhi High Court judge.
A psychiatrist, students and an institute official are also on the committee.
The committee will speak with people at IIT Delhi and examine its rules and processes.
It is expected to give its report within two weeks.
IIT Delhi has approved money to help the student’s family.
The institute also says students can get mental-health support at any time.
An external committee has begun investigating the death of 31-year-old MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar.
The panel is headed by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta and includes an AIIMS psychiatrist, student representatives and IIT Delhi’s Registrar.
IIT Delhi approved financial assistance for Kumar’s family and created a separate fund through voluntary contributions.
The committee was reconstituted after former Uttarakhand police chief Ashok Kumar withdrew, following student objections to his inclusion.
The panel will consult students, faculty and administrators, review institutional procedures and submit its report within two weeks.
- Who
- IIT Delhi, an external inquiry committee, and the family of 31-year-old MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar.
- What
- An external panel has begun investigating Kumar’s death, while IIT Delhi has approved financial assistance for his family and created a voluntary-contribution fund.
- When
- The committee began its probe three days after being formed; the institute said an external ombudsperson will be appointed next week and the report is due within two weeks.
- Where
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in New Delhi.
- Why
- The inquiry follows Kumar’s death and student demands for an external investigation and stronger student welfare and mental-health protections.
Student Demands
Institute Response
External investigation
Student Demands
Protesting students demanded an external inquiry committee, making it one of their key demands.
Institute Response
IIT Delhi reconstituted the panel under retired judge Justice Mukta Gupta and said it would conduct an independent review of protocols and processes.
Committee membership
Student Demands
Students objected to the inclusion of former Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar, citing his alleged past remarks about students and activism.
Institute Response
Ashok Kumar withdrew from the earlier committee, citing prior commitments, after which IIT Delhi formed the reconstituted panel.
Student welfare and mental health
Student Demands
The students’ demands included action to safeguard academic welfare and mental health.
Institute Response
IIT Delhi said it already provides 24/7 counselling and psychiatric access, reimburses external mental-health care, and has emergency and wellness systems in place.
- Student
- Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old MSc Physics student
- Committee chair
- Justice Mukta Gupta, a retired judge of the Delhi High Court
- Committee members
- Professor Pratap Sharan, four student representatives, and IIT Delhi’s Registrar
- Report deadline
- Within two weeks
- Family assistance
- Financial support approved from IIT Delhi’s benevolent fund
- Additional fund
- Created through voluntary contributions from faculty members, students, staff and alumni
- Mental-health services
- IIT Delhi says students have 24/7 access to counsellors and psychiatrists, including experts from AIIMS and VIMHANS