‘Sorry everyone': IIT Kanpur’s BTech student found dead in hostel room; police finds note

A final-year BTech student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was found dead in a hostel room. A suicide note was recovered from his room, the police said.

Jai Singh Meena, a 26-year-old undergraduate student, enrolled in the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at IIT Kanpur, was from Rajasthan. He was staying in room 148 of block 2 hostel, according to a report by The Statesman.

First, he cut his wrists, and then he died by suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room. Police found a suicide note in the room that read, "Sorry everyone... I...", the report added.

The incident came to notice after his room remained locked for an extended period, prompting fellow students to alert the institute's administration and authorities, the report stated.

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IIT Kanpur condoles student’s death

According to police in Kalyanpur, a team found Meena’s body hanging from the ceiling fan with a rope after breaking open the hostel room door. A suicide note was also recovered from the scene, the report said.

The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and the family is expected to arrive in Kanpur on Tuesday to complete the remaining formalities, police officials said.

“The police informed the family around 12:30 pm, and the police told them the student had cut his wrists before hanging himself, and that there were several injuries on his forearms,” Jaisingh’s elder brother Siddharth Meena said.

IIT Kanpur expressed profound grief over the tragic and untimely death of Jai Singh Meena, an undergraduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, who joined the institute in July 2020. The institute condoled the loss and offered prayers for strength to his bereaved family.

Also read Supreme Court orders FIR, probe on IIT Delhi suicide cases; forms task force on student suicides

IIT Kanpur plans mental health, communication centers

Following the suicide of a final-year BTech student, IIT Kanpur is taking steps to strengthen student welfare. A meeting was held today, December 29, at the director’s office to discuss the initiatives.

The institute will set up two centres of excellence—one on "Mental Health and Well-being" and another on "Communications"—to be led by Prof. Shantanu Mishra and Retired Prof. Achla Raina. Singh, who runs a mentoring initiative supporting over 1,100 SC/ ST students across IITs, offered support for these initiatives aimed at improving student mental health, placements, and communication skills.

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.