The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) protested on August 23 following the death of an IIT Delhi student. Rishikesh Kumar, a second-year Master of Science (MSc) Physics student, died on August 22. He fell from the sixth floor of the IIT Delhi Lecture Hall Complex.
JNUSU Demands Investigation
JNUSU is calling for an inquiry into Kumar’s death. They cite concerns about “institutional negligence and administrative accountability.” Protesters questioned the circumstances leading to Kumar’s alleged depression.
A student at the protest stated, “We learned on August 22’s night that a Master’s student named Rishikesh died after jumping from the sixth floor.” The student added, “People are saying that he was depressed, but how did he become depressed? There should be a thorough inquiry into why he was not being given projects, how the administration was acting arbitrarily, and how it was promoting people close to them.”
Police Investigation Details
Delhi Police received a call at 8:33 am on August 22. The call reported a student falling from a building on the IIT Delhi campus. Kumar, 31, was a second-year MSc Physics student.
He was taken to the IIT Delhi hospital. Doctors declared him dead on arrival. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team and the Crime Team inspected the scene. They collected evidence as part of the police investigation.
Police reported Kumar entered the campus at 8 am. He used a lift to reach the sixth floor of the Lecture Hall Complex. He allegedly jumped from the building’s front side. No suicide note was found.
Police observed no injuries apart from those consistent with a fall. Kumar’s mobile phone is under examination. Investigators are reviewing counselling records. They are also seeking other relevant information from the institute.
The case remains under active investigation by the Delhi Police.
