IIT Kharagpur PhD scholar dies after being hit by train; campus community in deep shock

A PhD scholar of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Shravan Kumar, died after being hit by a train on Sunday evening. The institute expressed condolences to the family and stated that the campus community is in deep shock and grief.

IIT-Kharagpur in a statement said: “It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the untimely demise of Mr. Shravan Kumar, a PhD Research Scholar from CORAL (MS Hall). His tragic passing yesterday evening has left the campus community in deep shock and grief.”

“In times like these, it is crucial that we come together to support one another. We encourage all members of the community to be present, offer kindness, and extend support to those deeply affected by this loss,” it said.

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The 27-year-old PhD scholar from the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) was hit by a train near the Puri railway gate early Saturday, the Times of India reported. Kumar was a native of Bengaluru.

He was rushed to the Kharagpur sub-divisional hospital and later shifted to a private medical hospital in Kolkata, where he succumbed to his injuries. He reportedly suffered multiple fractures and severe trauma to the face, chest, arm, and ankle.

A social media user wrote: “Nothing has changed. In 2015 when I was in campus multiple suicides happened. After 10 years this curse is still there. When will the suicides stop?”