1 week ago
IIT Delhi Protests Intensify After Student Death, FIR Filed
Students at IIT Delhi are protesting after Rishikesh Kumar died after falling from a campus building.
Police are investigating whether anyone may have contributed to his death.
Students say Kumar faced difficulties involving housing, academic opportunities, medical procedures, and mental-health support.
They also say several students have died by suicide at the institute since 2023.
The students want an independent investigation and the resignation of several officials.
They are asking for Rs 1 crore for Kumar’s family.
IIT Delhi has offered an external inquiry and several forms of financial and student support.
Students say these measures do not meet their main demands, so the protests are continuing.
Hundreds of IIT Delhi students protested after MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar allegedly died by suicide on August 22, 2026.
Students demand an independent investigation, resignations of senior Student Affairs and Physics officials, and Rs 1 crore for Kumar’s family.
Students cite alleged problems involving hostel accommodation, academic projects, hospital procedures, counselling, and a broader pattern of campus suicides.
Delhi Police registered an FIR against unknown persons for alleged abetment of suicide and is examining Kumar’s phone and counselling records.
IIT Delhi announced an external inquiry, financial assistance, an ombudsperson, and a mentor system, but students rejected the response as inadequate.
- Who
- IIT Delhi students, the institute administration led by Director Rangan Banerjee, Rishikesh Kumar, and Delhi Police.
- What
- Students are protesting Kumar’s death and demanding an independent probe, official resignations, accountability, mental-health transparency, and compensation.
- Where
- The protests centered on IIT Delhi’s Lecture Hall Complex, the Main Building, and the area outside the director’s office.
- When
- Kumar died on August 22, 2026; protests began August 24 and continued through at least August 26, according to the reports.
- Why
- Students allege that administrative decisions and support systems involving housing, academic projects, medical care, and mental health may have contributed to Kumar’s distress.
Students’ demands and allegations
IIT Delhi administration’s response
Investigation and responsibility
Students’ demands and allegations
Students want an independent inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge. They object to former Uttarakhand police chief Ashok Kumar’s inclusion and demand resignations from the Dean and Associate Deans of Student Welfare, along with other officials including the Physics department head.
IIT Delhi administration’s response
IIT Delhi formed an external committee to examine the circumstances of Kumar’s death, consult students and faculty, review protocols and processes, and make recommendations within two weeks. The administration has not accepted the resignation demand.
Compensation
Students’ demands and allegations
Students demand Rs 1 crore for Kumar’s family and say the assistance offered by the institute is inadequate.
IIT Delhi administration’s response
The administration initially indicated Rs 6 lakh and later announced reimbursement of medical expenses, benevolent-fund support, and a voluntary contribution fund. It did not commit to the requested Rs 1 crore.
Mental-health and campus support
Students’ demands and allegations
Students say counselling and administrative systems failed Kumar. They want transparent disclosure of mental-health protocols and measures addressing what they describe as a pattern of student suicides, as well as peer access, fair academic opportunities, and a more empathetic campus.
IIT Delhi administration’s response
Director Rangan Banerjee said Kumar had been advised by the institute counsellor and psychiatrist to remain under parental supervision. The institute proposed an external ombudsperson and an additional faculty-and-student mentor system for students needing mental-health and parental support.
Key facts
- Reported death
- Rishikesh Kumar allegedly died by suicide after falling from the sixth floor of IIT Delhi’s Lecture Hall Complex on August 22, 2026.
- Age discrepancy
- Reports identify Kumar as either 26 or 31 years old.
- Police investigation
- Delhi Police registered an FIR against unknown persons for alleged abetment of suicide and examined Kumar’s phone and counselling records.
- Protest size
- Reports described nearly 300 students on Monday, more than 500 inside the Lecture Hall Complex on Tuesday, and about 2,000 outside.
- Student demands
- Students seek an independent inquiry, resignations of senior officials, disclosure of mental-health protocols, protection from punitive action, and Rs 1 crore for Kumar’s family.
- Institute response
- IIT Delhi announced an external inquiry, medical-expense reimbursement, benevolent-fund assistance, a voluntary contribution fund, an external ombudsperson, and a faculty-and-student mentor system.
- Inquiry timeline
- The administration said the inquiry committee would review relevant circumstances and processes and submit its report within two weeks.
Quotes
An anonymous student protester
IIT-Delhi student participating in the protest
“An External Inquiry Committee is constituted with the mandate of investigating the circumstances leading to the tragedy of Mr Rishikesh Kumar’s death. The committee will discuss with relevant students, faculty and the concerned admin offices, review protocols and processes and make recommendations.”
theprint.in
“Moral profiling of a student deserves no place in a scientific and public institution. It hinders the access of students to resources and opportunities like housing and holds detrimental impact on their dignity as a bonafide student of the campus, as seen in this case.”
NDTV
Sources
‘8 deaths’: Rare protest at IIT Delhi after student’s suicide sparks anger
IIT Delhi students question ‘pattern of suicides’. Demand resignation, justice for Rishikesh
Anger over IIT Delhi suicide grows, FIR filed, probe panel reformed
Late-night protest at IIT-Delhi over student suicide, campus tense
IIT Delhi Students Demand Probe Into MSc Student's Death, Rs 1 Crore Compensation For Family
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