IIT-Delhi student under psychiatric treatment hangs himself

A 21-year-old Delhi student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) allegedly committed suicide while under psychiatric treatment by hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on Tuesday.

According to police, the deceased was identified on Wednesday as Kumar Yash, a second-year Master of Science (M.Sc) student of Jharkhand’s Deoghar. Police did not find a suicide note in the room where he hanged himself, but he appeared to be undergoing psychiatric treatment.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Southwest) Surendra Choudhary said, “A PCR call regarding suicide by an IIT student was received at room number D57 of Aravali Hostel at around 11 pm on Tuesday. Accordingly, the police personnel reached the spot where it was found that Yash had committed suicide by hanging himself with a ceiling fan.

When they arrived, the room was locked from inside, but Yash’s friend and IIT staff broke the door window to enter the room. “The deceased was found hanging with two cloth towels tied,” he said, adding that his friend and the institute staff cut the towels and took him downstairs.

“Kumar was taken to Safdarjung Hospital in an IIT ambulance. He was declared dead by doctors there. The body has been preserved in the morgue. Relatives of the deceased have been informed. The hostel room where the deceased committed suicide was inspected by a mobile crime team,” the DCP added.

According to police, no suicide note was found there, but according to Kumar’s medical health report, he was under psychiatric treatment and had also visited the IIT hospital on Tuesday.

“He received treatment and had an appointment with a psychiatrist on October 29. Statements of his friends have been recorded. There is no foul play in this case,” the officer said, adding that further investigation proceedings under Section 194 BNSS are in progress.

Choudhary also said teams are talking to the student’s family members to get more details about him. “We have already informed the victim’s family members and they will be in Delhi soon. We gather more details to know what made him take such an extreme step. Our teams are also recording statements of his classmates,” he said.

Teams will also check CCTV footage from the hostel to know what time he went to the doctor and returned. “We are investigating the entire case from every aspect,” the DCP said.

Meanwhile, IIT Delhi said in a statement that the institute is deeply saddened by the unfortunate and untimely death of a second year student of M.Sc. Cognitive Sciences, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Delhi Police is investigating the unfortunate incident that took place on the campus. We extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family and friends. The institute is doing everything it can to support his family in this hour of grief, read the statement. “IIT Delhi is fully committed to ensuring the mental and physical well-being of its students,” an institute spokesperson said.

Further, a Twitter account called Voice Of IITD shared a message saying, “Shocked and heartbroken news of the tragic loss of Kumar Yash, a student of HSS Dept and an Indradhanu coordinator. He was declared brought dead at Safdarjung Hospital. Our deepest condolences to their family and friends at this devastating time.”