Missing IIT Roorkee PhD scholar found dead; institute assures support in police investigation

A PhD scholar from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Roorkee) was found dead last night following an incident reported by local law enforcement, IIT Roorkee said in an official statement. The Uttarakhand police found the body on Sunday night and informed the engineering institute.

Mohit Kumar, a PhD scholar in the department of electronics and communication engineering, IIT Roorkee, was found dead on the night of May 10 by Uttarakhand police. The institute confirmed that family members and relatives have officially identified him, the institute said.

According to a report by Jagran, Kumar's body was recovered from the embankment of Asafnagar canal on Sunday night.

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'Refrain from spreading rumour': IIT Roorkee on student's death

“IIT Roorkee is deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mr. Mohit Kumar, a research scholar of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering. Information regarding the incident was received from the police authorities, Roorkee, late last night,” IIT Roorkee said.

Roorkee police informed the technology institute late on Sunday night. According to Sonika Srivastava, media cell in-charge, IIT Roorkee, stated that the institute is currently providing full cooperation to district and police officials as they are conducting their investigation.

"The entire IIT Roorkee community expresses its heartfelt condolences and stands in solidarity with the student's family, friends, and colleagues,” the technology institute stated.

The institute has also urged the public and the media to respect the privacy of the grieving family and to refrain from spreading unverified speculation while the official investigation remains active.

The report by Jagran also stated that Kumar was a resident of Nainital and the cause of his death is unknown. He was reportedly missing for three days, it added.

Uttarakhand police found a notebook in his room and no complaint has been filed with the police yet, the report said.