IIT Kharagpur BTech student dies by 'suicide'; third case this semester, 9th in IITs since January

NEW DELHI: A third-year BTech Civil Engineering student of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) was found hanging in his hostel room around 2 am today, as per official source. This is the third suicide in a semester in IIT Kharagpur, the ninth in IITs since January, and 154th suicide in 20 years!

Mohammad Asif Qamar, a resident of Seohar district in Bihar, was found hanging in his hostel room in Madanmohan Malviya Hall in IIT Kharagpur campus. The incident came to light after his friends and hostel superintendent noticed that his room was locked from inside since Saturday night.

On Sunday morning, police who arrived at the scene, broke open the door to find him hanging. His family has been informed. A senior police officer said the police have got some leads and the investigation was proceeding on that. He said prima facie it was a case of suicide but investigations were on, the PTI reported.

On April 20, Aniket Walkar, a fourth-year student in the Department of Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture, was found hanging in his hostel room. On January 12, the body of a third-year undergraduate student Shaon Malik was found in his hostel room. In June 2024, Devika Pillai, a fourth-year student of biotechnology and biochemical engineering had died by suicide.

IIT Kharagpur authorities said the institute has counsellors 24x7 hours to help students fight any stress and depression. After April 20, the institute put up barcodes on the door of every boarder which can be scanned by any boarder during moments of acute mental stress for immediate counselling in privacy.

"A committee is being formed to explore the circumstances and reason behind such tragedies and the committee will make its recommendations in three days," Acting Director Amit Patra had told PTI earlier. "The well-being, happiness and academic success of our students matter to us. They are our children," he had said.

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.