1 week ago
IIT Delhi Student Dies by Suicide Amid Mental Health Struggles
Rishikesh Kumar was a physics student at IIT Delhi who had been experiencing serious mental health problems.
His family said he told them he was in great pain and was having suicidal thoughts.
They also said he had tried to harm himself twice before his death.
His family believed problems involving hostel accommodation and college support increased his stress.
IIT Delhi said it had referred him for treatment and provided counselling and medical help.
The institute also said it approved his requests to pause his studies.
Kumar was found dead on the campus on August 22.
IIT Delhi has now created an outside committee to examine what happened.
Students are protesting because they say wider problems at the institute have contributed to several student deaths.
Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old MSc Physics student at IIT Delhi, was found dead on campus on August 22.
His family said he had expressed suicidal thoughts, severe distress and a desire to return home shortly before his death.
His brother alleged that hostel denial, off-campus living and inadequate institutional support worsened his condition.
IIT Delhi said Kumar received psychiatric treatment, counselling and medical support, and that his semester withdrawals were approved.
The institute has formed a five-member external committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death, while students protest broader welfare concerns.
- Who
- Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old MSc Physics student at IIT Delhi, died; his family, IIT Delhi and protesting students are involved in the aftermath.
- What
- Kumar was found dead on campus in an alleged suicide after reportedly experiencing mental health difficulties and suicidal thoughts.
- Where
- IIT Delhi’s campus in Delhi, India.
- When
- He was found on August 22; his mother said he spoke about his distress the previous night.
- Why
- The precise cause is under investigation. His family alleged that hostel difficulties and lack of institutional support added to his distress, while IIT Delhi described its medical and counselling interventions.
Family and Students
IIT Delhi
Institutional responsibility
Family and Students
Kumar’s brother alleged that the institute failed to support him and instead subjected him to repeated questioning and demands for medical clearances.
IIT Delhi
IIT Delhi said student welfare was a top priority and that Kumar was referred for psychiatric care, received counselling and treatment support, and was advised to remain under parental supervision.
Hostel accommodation
Family and Students
The family said Kumar was deeply distressed by not receiving a hostel room, felt unable to study off campus, and was living in a costly, cramped room.
IIT Delhi
The institute’s statement described his treatment and approved study withdrawals but did not explain why he was not provided a hostel room.
Cause of the broader crisis
Family and Students
Students and Kumar’s brother linked the death to systemic problems, including alleged non-cooperation with his research project and the handling of his return to study.
IIT Delhi
IIT Delhi has not accepted those allegations in the reported statement and has established an external committee to investigate the circumstances.
Key facts
- Student
- Rishikesh Kumar, 31, an MSc Physics student at IIT Delhi
- Date of death
- August 22
- Police findings
- No suicide note was recovered; a mobile phone was seized for examination
- Reported mental health support
- He was referred to an IIT hospital, treated at a specialised hospital for about one month, and later received counselling and treatment support
- Academic status
- His requests to withdraw from two semesters were approved, according to IIT Delhi
- Investigation
- IIT Delhi constituted a five-member external inquiry committee
- Student protests
- Students said systemic issues were linked to eight student suicides over the previous 30 months
Quotes
Abhishek Kumar
Rishikesh Kumar's brother, who described his brother's mental-health struggles
“There was no help from the college - is this what they call counseling? Instead of supporting the student, they were harassing him, demanding NOCs from here and there.”
NDTV
“Mummy, I am hurting a lot. I'm even afraid of suicide; I wouldn't be able to bring myself to do that either.”
NDTV
Sources
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