IIT Delhi cancels classes after MSc student’s suicide sparks protest, demands for deans’ resignation

Two days after Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old MSc student in the physics department, took his own life, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has cancelled all classes scheduled for Monday in response to student protests. IIT Delhi students held a candlelight march and protest at 9 am at the Lecture Hall Complex (LHC) from which Kumar jumped to his death.

Students demand the resignations of the dean and associate dean of students’ welfare, the associate dean of hostel management and the head of the department of physics. One of the students participating in the protest said, “We demand the resignation of the deans, especially the associate dean hostel affairs who … did not allocate any hostel to him.” Kumar was living outside the campus in a rented accommodation with his mother; he had recently lost his father, the student added.

A student delegation met IIT Delhi director Rangan Banerjee on Monday morning with a document of demands accessed by Careers360. The demands include the resignation of officials, an independent investigation, addressing the failure to allocate a hostel, and alleged denial of research projects, among others.

One of the students who was part of the delegation said, “The director has received and signed our demands. He has said that he will get back to us by the end of the day and if the demands are not met then students and student bodies will continue to protest until they are.”

Also read NITs to offer dual-track M.Tech programmes, industry-led PhD; aim for NBA accreditation for all courses

The document drafted by the student body of IIT Delhi stated, “We condemn the student affairs office’s treatment of Rishikesh. Moral profiling of a student deserves no place in scientific and public institutions. It hinders the access of students to resources and opportunities like housing and holds a detrimental impact on their dignity.”

IIT Delhi students gather at Lecture Hall Complex protesting demanding justice for Rishikesh Kumar's death. (Image Source: Special Arrangement/AI edited)

Rank 40 in IIT JAM, did well first semester

Kumar had joined IIT after securing an all-India rank of 40 in the Joint Admission Test for Masters (IIT JAM), said a close friend.

Another friend spoke about Kumar at length in a YouTube video. He said, “He completed his first semester very well and had secured a very good CGPA, more than 8. In March, during his second semester, he had some medical issues due to which he was referred to National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). He had recovered by the end of April and early May. However, when he came back to the campus, his second-semester exams were already over. He told me that he’ll give the papers later and hence dropped that semester,” the friend said.

According to the friend, Kumar was advised by the department to rest after returning and rejoin in July.

Also read Student Suicides: ‘Need accountability, not new law; it’s about well-being, not mental health,’ says NTF chief

Till his hospitalisation, Kumar stayed in a hostel on the IIT Delhi campus. However, when he came back in July, he was in for a surprise. “When the first list for Shivalik Hostel was released, his name was on it. But in the second list his name was removed from it,” alleged a student. Kumar was forced to live off-campus, a situation other students blame for his deteriorating mental health. “If Rishikesh was inside the campus, with his friends, he could have mixed with them and enjoyed campus life, instead of becoming isolated,” said one.

The student also alleges that IIT Delhi deliberately removed Kumar from the campus after his struggles over March, April and May. “The IIT's thinking seems to be that if a student has any such health issue, they should not give him a hostel, so that if he has suicidal thoughts, he does not act on them on campus,” alleged a student.

Also read Teacher recruitment to scholarships – what SC wants universities to do for suicide prevention

IIT Delhi hostel policy

According to students, IIT Delhi has a policy requiring students to produce a fitness certificate to obtain hostel accommodation, especially those who have been hospitalised previously. Many students Careers360 spoke with alleged that Kumar couldn't get a fitness certificate despite multiple rounds, which got in the way of his being assigned accommodation.

“Despite a proper hostel allocated for students who are dealing with some academic or mental health issues, he was denied a hostel. This is the main point of contention,” said a student who was a part of the delegation to Banerjee.

“IIT has Vidyachal apartments. He should have been allowed to stay there. One of my friends who lives in Vidyachal went there and tried to get him the hostel. But no one helped. The rooms are vacant,” said the friend in the YouTube video. Kumar belonged to a community listed among the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Also read NITs plan for BTech student exchanges, minor degrees and credit sharing with other CFTIs

Hassled for medical certificate

After he joined in July, the head of the department of physics allegedly asked Kumar to provide a medical certificate before allowing him to attend classes.

“He went to the IIT hospital. But they didn’t give him anything in writing. He had to repeatedly visit different offices and officials to get the certificate. I personally saw him making at least 50-60 rounds,” said a student. “The repeated difficulties affected Kumar's perception of his situation.”

According to Kumar's friend, his mother repeatedly visited the institute seeking accommodation for him.

Also read IIT Placements 2026: Many in BTech Computer Science aim for trading firms, not Google; internships show why

MSc Physics research project

Students also alleged that Kumar faced difficulties in obtaining a research project after returning to the institute.

“After the hostel, there were projects in the department. Our projects are assigned around April. He did not get a project,” the friend said.

Students have included the alleged denial of research opportunities among the issues they want the institute to investigate as part of their demands for an independent probe.

Neither IIT Delhi’s spokesperson nor the associate dean of students affairs responded to calls or texts from Careers360. If and when they do, this story will be updated to include their comments.

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.