IIT Delhi student’s suicide sparks family claims and campus inquiry

Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old MSc Physics student at IIT Delhi, exhibited a marked decline in the week before his death, abandoning his phone, laptop and social interactions while repeatedly expressing to his mother that he felt like a “big loser” and was having suicidal thoughts. His brother Abhishek Kumar said the family contemplated seeking counseling and medical assistance, but Rishikesh left their rented apartment—arranged after the institute denied hostel accommodation—and went to the campus, where he later died by suicide.

The family was notified by an officer from Kishangarh police station rather than by the university, which they claim offered no contact. His death sparked protests on campus, leading IIT Delhi to form a five-member External Inquiry Committee comprising former Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar, AIIMS New Delhi psychiatry head Prof Pratap Sharma, among others. The inquiry will examine the student’s mental state, his interactions with the institute’s administration, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The family is demanding accountability to prevent similar tragedies for other students.