6 days ago
IIT Delhi Reconstitutes Probe Panel Amid Student Protests
Rishikesh Kumar, an MSc Physics student, died after allegedly falling from a building at IIT Delhi.
Police are investigating and have registered a case against unknown people for possible abetment of suicide.
Students protested because they were unhappy with the first group chosen to investigate the death.
They wanted the inquiry to be independent.
IIT Delhi has now created a new committee led by retired judge Justice Mukta Gupta.
The committee will also include a psychiatry expert, student representatives and the institute Registrar.
It must speak with people, review campus safety rules and make recommendations within two weeks.
Students still want accountability, resignations and more financial support for Kumar’s family.
IIT Delhi replaced its earlier inquiry panel after students objected to its composition and sought an independent investigation.
Retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta will chair the new panel, which includes an AIIMS psychiatry chief, student representatives and the IIT Delhi Registrar.
The committee will examine the student’s death, review campus protocols and submit recommendations within two weeks.
Protests entered their fourth day after MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar allegedly fell from a campus building; police registered an abetment-of-suicide case against unidentified persons.
Students are demanding official resignations and at least Rs 1 crore for Kumar’s family, while the administration has offered financial assistance but rejected those specific demands.
- Who
- IIT Delhi students, administrators, police and an inquiry committee are involved after the death of MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar.
- What
- IIT Delhi has reconstituted its external inquiry panel while students continue protesting the death and the institute’s handling of the investigation.
- Where
- The incident and protests took place at the IIT Delhi campus in Delhi.
- When
- The death is described as occurring on Saturday in one account and on August 22 in another; the protests entered their fourth day on Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the account.
- Why
- Students objected to the original panel’s composition and are seeking an independent inquiry, accountability, resignations and compensation for Kumar’s family.
Students’ position
Institute and police position
Independence of the inquiry
Students’ position
Students objected to the earlier panel and demanded an independent investigation into Kumar’s death.
Institute and police position
IIT Delhi reconstituted the panel and appointed Justice Mukta Gupta as chairperson while retaining expert, student and institutional representation.
Accountability and compensation
Students’ position
Students are seeking the resignations of the Dean, Associate Dean for Student Welfare, Associate Dean for Hostel Management and Head of the Physics Department, along with at least Rs 1 crore for Kumar’s family.
Institute and police position
The administration offered financial assistance through its benevolent fund and a voluntary contribution fund but rejected the resignation demands and a specified compensation amount.
Police presence during protests
Students’ position
Students alleged that police personnel in civilian clothes were recording protesters and gathered outside the security control room after rejecting the explanation given.
Institute and police position
The personnel denied recording protesters and said they were present as part of campus security arrangements.
Key facts
- Student
- Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old MSc Physics student according to one report
- New chairperson
- Justice Mukta Gupta, a retired judge of the Delhi High Court
- Committee members
- Pratap Sharan, Head of Psychiatry at AIIMS, two student representatives yet to be selected, and the IIT Delhi Registrar as Secretary and Convenor
- Inquiry deadline
- The committee is expected to submit its final report and recommendations within two weeks
- Police investigation
- Police registered an abetment-of-suicide case against unidentified persons and seized a mobile phone found in the student’s pocket
- Student demands
- Students are seeking an independent inquiry, several officials’ resignations and at least Rs 1 crore for Kumar’s family
- Administration’s response
- IIT Delhi agreed to change the panel, provide benevolent-fund assistance and create a voluntary contribution fund, but did not accept the resignation demands or a specific compensation amount
Quotes
The collective students’ body
A collective student body explaining its approach to class attendance during the protest
“A new panel has been constituted. Justice Mukta Gupta is the chairperson. The other members include Pratap Sharan, Head of Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, New Delhi. Besides, two student representatives and the IIT-Delhi registrar will also be part of the external probe panel.”
telegraphindia.com
“Our method is to appeal to the individual conscience of every student on campus. We trust each other’s judgement to evaluate the urgency of the moment in the right way.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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