IIT Roorkee: Second-year BTech student found dead in hostel, suicide suspected

NEW DELHI: An Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) second-year BTech student Anshu Malaiya was found dead in her hostel room. Expressing grief, IIT Roorkee said Malaiya's death was an ‘irreplaceable loss’ to the college community and assured full cooperation with the police investigation. The administration has also extended its condolences and support to Anshu’s family.

Anshu Malaiya was a student from the department of data science and artificial intelligence and a resident of Kasturba Bhawan.

IIT Roorkee Student's Death: Police investigation

As per reports, authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident with initial reports suggesting suicide. However, the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed. As per IIT Roorkee, the police are investigating all possible angles to determine the circumstances surrounding her passing.

''The institute has informed her family and extends its heartfelt condolences and full support to them. IIT Roorkee is fully supportive of the ongoing police investigation and is cooperating with the authorities to ascertain the facts,' IIT Roorkee said.

Counseling support to family and friends

Recognising the emotional impact on the student community, IIT Roorkee has provided counseling support to Anshu’s friends to help them cope with the loss. The institute said, "Counseling support has also been extended to her peers and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones. May her soul rest in peace."

Suicide cases in IITs

The incident adds to the growing number of students’ death in IITs. In the past 12 months, around six student deaths were reported across various IITs, including IIT Guwahati, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Roorkee. These incidents, including suicides and unexplained deaths, have raised serious concerns about student well-being, with some cases linked to academic pressure and mental health issues.

Earlier in January, a third-year electrical engineering student, Shaon Malik, was found dead in his Azad Hall hostel room at IIT Kharagpur. His parents, who had come to visit him, discovered the IIT Kharagpur student's body.

The institute expressed shock and grief over the incident and confirmed that a police investigation was underway with full cooperation from the administration. IIT Kharagpur assured that it was providing support to the student’s family and friends while prioritising mental health initiatives for students. In June last year, a final-year student at IIT Delhi, Devika Pillai, was also found dead in her hostel room.

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.