IIT Delhi Suicide Case: Varad’s family blames 2 faculty members, Phd student for his death; demands action

NEW DELHI: Father of the second-year MTech student, Varad Sanjay Nerkar, who allegedly died by suicide on the night of February 15, had filed a complaint with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Delhi) director Rangan Banerjee against two faculty members and a PhD students.

Nerkar’s father Sanjay Kashinath Nerkar claimed that two professors, who were the student’s guide, and a PhD researcher in the department of materials science were responsible for Nerkar’s death. The email to the IIT director read that the guides were not assisting Varad in his MTech project as a result he was under stress. The email added that Varad had a conversation regarding his project with one of his guides before he took the extreme step.

The student’s father urged the IIT director to suspend the faculty members and expel the PhD student as they were ‘responsible’ for Varad’s death. The MTech student’s family resides in Nashik.

Following Varad’s death, IIT Delhi students had staged a protest regarding concerns on placements, mental health, lack of options for PhD students to choose supervisors on February 18. An open house was also held on February 23 where students pursuing masters, BTech, and PhD at IIT Delhi shared the demands through a survey.

Also read IIT Delhi students raise concerns over placements, mental health, faculty feedback at open house

IIT Delhi administration also sent an email to students informing about Varad’s death. “With a very heavy heart, it is our unfortunate duty to inform you of the tragic and untimely demise of our M Tech student Varad Sanjay Nerkar (2022MSP2521), a resident of Dronagiri hostel,” IIT Delhi dean student affairs said in an email.

Varda’s body was found hanging in his room in Dronagiri hostel of IIT Delhi on February 15.