Kejriwal Demands Time-Bound Probe Into IIT Delhi Student Rishikesh Kumar’s Death; Says 65 IIT Suicides In 5 Years Alarming
Sunil Negi
New Delhi, 26 August:
AAP National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the tragic death of IIT Delhi MSc student Rishikesh Kumar and demanded an impartial, time-bound investigation into the incident, calling the student suicide crisis in IITs alarming.
Taking to X, Kejriwal said:
“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Rishikesh at IIT Delhi. There must be an impartial, and time-bound investigation, and all student concerns must be addressed. More than 65 IIT students have committed suicide in the last 5 years. The situation is alarming. We rightly take pride in the academic excellence of our IITs. But our measure of excellence cannot stop at ranks, grades, and placements. We must ensure that every student has access to support, someone to listen, and a safe space to seek help when things become difficult. We need to introspect and fix this system. We just can’t let our students down.”_
Sequence of Rishikesh’s Death:
31-year-old Rishikesh Kumar, a second-year MSc Physics student, died allegedly by suicide on Saturday, August 22, at around 8.30 am. According to Delhi Police, he entered the campus through the main gate, went to the Lecture Hall Complex (LHC), took the lift to the sixth floor and jumped from the front side. He was rushed to IIT Delhi hospital where he was declared brought dead. No suicide note was recovered. Police said they are examining his mobile phone.
Students said Rishikesh had taken a semester-long academic withdrawal after his father’s death earlier this year due to mental health difficulties and had undergone treatment for over a month. When he returned in late July, his name had been removed from hostel rolls due to withdrawal and he was forced to live in rented accommodation outside with his mother, under financial strain. An audio message of his mother played during the protest described repeated unsuccessful requests for hostel allotment.
Subsequent Protests:
The death triggered rare, large-scale protests at IIT Delhi.
-Monday, Aug 24: At 9 am, nearly 300 students gathered near LHC, later moved to main building outside Director’s office. Classes were suspended. Students said this was the 8th suicide since 2023.
Demands: Resignation of Dean of Students, Associate Dean Student Welfare Prof Sreedevi Upadhyaula, Associate Dean Hostel Management and Head of Physics Department, independent inquiry including student representatives, Rs 1 crore compensation for family, and protection from disciplinary action for protesters.
Tuesday, Aug 25: IIT Director Rangan Banerjee announced a 5-member External Inquiry Committee
former Uttarakhand DGP and IIT alumnus Ashok Kumar, AIIMS Psychiatry Head Prof Pratap Sharma, two student reps and Registrar as convenor – to submit report in 2 weeks. Students objected to inclusion of ex-DGP and institute agreed to reconstitute after students suggest alternative names by Friday. An external ombudsperson to address unresolved grievances was also announced.
-Late Tuesday-Wednesday: Protests entered 4th day, midnight sit-in, parts of campus cordoned off, full faculty meeting convened. Over 500 students packed LHC on Tuesday morning with 2,000 outside.
IIT Delhi in a statement said it deeply mourns the untimely demise and is providing support to the family, including reimbursement of medical expenses.
The incident has again sparked national debate on mental health support, hostel policy and academic pressure in premier institutes, with over 65 IIT student suicides reported in last 5 years across all IITs.
