IIT Bombay BTech student dies by suicide after jumping from hostel building

A 22-year-old Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay student died by suicide after allegedly jumping from the 10th floor of a hostel building in Powai, Mumbai. The student, Rohit Sinha, was in the final year of the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) programme in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS).

According to the PTI report, the incident took place around 2:30 am. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead. Mumbai Police have registered an accidental death report (ADR) and are investigating the matter.

IIT Bombay, in a statement issued on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, expressed shock and grief at the loss, offering condolences to the student’s family. “The untimely death has shocked us to the core and we share the grief. It is very unfortunate that a promising career came to a premature end in such a manner. His death has saddened the entire community on IIT campus,” the institute stated.

10th student suicide reported across IITs in 2025

This marks the tenth student suicide reported across the IITs in 2025. Four of these cases have been reported from IIT Kharagpur, including the death of Ritam Mondal on July 18. Earlier this year, IIT Kharagpur reported three other student deaths — Shaon Mallik on January 12, Aniket Walkar on April 20, and Mohammad Asif Qamar on May 4. All were undergraduate students.

In response, the institute introduced a mental health and wellness initiative titled Support, Empathy, Transformation and Upliftment (SETU). The programme includes AI-based emotional monitoring, round-the-clock online counselling, and peer-led support interventions.

Supreme Court directs FIR in all student suicide cases

The Supreme Court recently directed all educational institutions to register a First Information Report (FIR) in cases of student suicides, stating that such action was both a legal requirement and a moral duty.

Following the directive, IIT Delhi issued an internal order mandating FIR registration for suicides and other major incidents on campus. A designated security officer will coordinate with police and the relevant authorities. IIT Kharagpur and IIT BHU have also confirmed compliance with the court’s instruction.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.