IIT Delhi forms 5-member panel to probe MSc student Rishikesh Kumar's death; campus sees late-night protest

The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi) has constituted a five-member external inquiry committee to investigate the death of its MSc student, Rishikesh Kumar, on campus. Kumar took his own life at IIT Delhi's Lecture Hall Complex, sparking massive protests on the usually quiet campus.

The panel will have external members and be led by Ashok Kumar, ex DGP Uttarakhand, VC Sports University Haryana and IIT Delhi alumnus, the director, Rangan Banerjee told the campus community in an email sent during the night between August 24 and 25

The action by the institute comes amid the students' protest at IIT Delhi campus over the death of the MSc Physics student, demanding an investigation, dean’s resignation, and compensation for Kumar’s family. A meeting was held between students and administration officials over their demands.

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IIT Delhi to provide financial aid for Rishikesh Kumar's family

“We will work towards providing financial support for Rishikesh's family - by reimbursing medical expenses and providing funding from the benevolent fund. Additionally we will also create a separate fund with voluntary contributions from faculty, students and staff to help the family,” Rangan Banerjee, director, IIT Delhi said in the official statement.

It will also appoint an external Ombudsperson to address any grievances that are not addressed by the internal systems. Moreover, it has also planned to create an additional support system of a faculty and student mentor to address mental health.

The formed committee will consist Ashok Kumar, ex DGP Uttarakhand, VC Sports University Haryana and IIT Delhi alumnus, Pratap Sharma, head department of psychiatry AIIMS, New Delhi, 3 to 4 student representatives, and registrar, secretary and convenor.

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IIT Delhi cites mental health reason for MSc student's death

According to the institute, in July 2025, Kumar joined the MSc programme in Physics. Since his admission to the MSc programme, he was staying in the Shivalik Hostel on the campus and had a very good academic performance in his first semester.

In March 2026, he developed mental health issues and was advised by the counsellor and psychiatrist of IIT Delhi to stay under continuous parental supervision, it added.

He had applied for withdrawal from the second semester which was approved by the Institute. Since then he was living outside the campus with his parents, the institute said.

In July 2026, on his return to IIT Delhi, his medical records were checked by the Counsellor and Psychiatrist of IIT Delhi and was advised to continue stay under parental supervision, the statement read.

He was living outside the campus with his parent and had applied for the withdrawal from the third semesters and this request was also approve d by the Physics Department, the institute said.

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Avoid dialogue with admin over protests: IIT Delhi students tell representative

In addition, the students of IIT Delhi have announced a march across the residential hostels on campus, demanding justice for Kumar, resignation of the dean and compensation for Kumar’s family.

The students will end the protest in front of Shivalik and light candles in memory of Rishikesh, who was removed from the hostel, according to an official letter by the students group.

They have also urged the engineering institute to initiate all their demands “immediately,” and requested the student representatives to refrain from engaging with the administration regarding the central demands behind the protest.

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.