IIT Delhi MSc student dies by suicide; second death this year

NEW DELHI: Another student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi died by suicide on Tuesday. Yash Kumar, a second-year MSc Cognitive Science student from Jharkhand's Deoghar, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room but no suicide note has been found. He was taken to the Safdarjung Hospital where he was declared brought dead by the doctors. According to the Police, the student was undergoing psychiatric treatment. This is the second student death at the institute this year.

"On Tuesday, at about 11 pm, a PCR call regarding a suicide by an IIT student in Aravali Hostel Room Number -- D57 -- was received. A staff was sent to the location immediately. The room was closed from inside but his friend and IIT staff broke the window to enter his room," a senior police officer told PTI.

In an official mail to students, the institute informed about the 'tragic' incident and mourned the student's death. "With a very heavy heart, it is our unfortunate duty to inform you of the tragic and untimely demise of our student Kumar Yash, a resident of Aravali hostel and a second year student of MSc Cognitive Science. Kumar was found in his room late last night. The police have taken custody of this mortal remains ," said the dean of student affairs in a mail accessed by Careers360.

The institute found the loss to Kumar's family and friends 'unimaginable' while the IIT tries to deal with the "terrible" pain and sorrow. His family is expected to arrive today, it informed. The registrar will fix a condolence meeting in due course.

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"This challenging time reminds us the constant need for us to be there for each other. You are also requested to reach out to the multiple counselling avenues in our system if you need help in coping with this tragedy. Of course, all faculty and administration is also there for any support," IITD added.

IIT suicides

Earlier today, a student body of the institute shared the news and expressed shock over the incident. “Shocked and heartbroken news about the tragic loss of Kumar Yash, a student from HSS Dept and an Indradhanu coordinator. He has been declared dead at Safdarjung Hospital. Our deepest condolences to their family and friends during this devastating time,” wrote the ‘Voice of IITD’ in a post on X.

Earlier in February this year, second-year MTech student Varad Sanjay Nerkar was found dead in his hostel room. His father alleged that two professors and a PhD student were responsible for his death and urged the IIT Delhi director Rangan Banerjee to suspend them.

IITs in Kanpur and Guwahati recently saw a series of student suicides on campus. A PhD student took her life in her hostel room at IITK while a BTech student died by suicide on IITG campus.

(with inputs from PTI)

Note: This story has been updated to include information from the dean of student affairs' letter to the campus community.

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.