IIT Delhi students protest MSc student's death, demand independent probe and resignations

Classes at IIT Delhi were suspended on Aug 24 after students protested the death of 31-year-old MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar and pressed the administration for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The protesters sought the resignation of the Dean and Associate Deans for Student Welfare and Academic and Hostel Management, as well as the Head of the Department of Physics.

They also demanded greater accountability from senior officials, stronger student support systems and ₹1 crore compensation for Kumar's family.

Students called for academic activities to remain suspended until the administration responds to their concerns, saying there should be “no business as usual." Media personnel were also barred from entering the campus.

Kumar died on Aug 22 after falling from the sixth floor of the Lecture Hall Complex at IIT Delhi. The Delhi Police said it received a PCR call at around 8:33 am on Aug 22. He was taken to the institute hospital, where he was declared dead.

According to police, Kumar entered the campus through the main gate at around 8 am and later went to the sixth floor. No suicide note was recovered, police said.

Students have raised questions over several administrative decisions involving Kumar, including housing arrangements, academic projects and access to institutional resources. They alleged that these issues left him feeling isolated and without adequate support.

In a letter submitted to the administration, students objected to what they called the Student Affairs Office's “moral profiling” of Kumar and sought an independent examination of the decisions taken by officials before his death.

"Moral profiling of a student deserves no place in a scientific and public institution. It hinders the access of students to resources and opportunities like housing and holds detrimental impact on their dignity as a bonafide student of the campus, as seen in this case."

The students have specifically sought an inquiry into the alleged non-allocation of housing, denial of academic projects and the functioning of the institute hospital administration. They also want the institute to clarify how cases involving students experiencing mental health difficulties are handled.

"Keeping in mind, the proactive role of the Student Affairs Office in removing students from the campus with a history of mental issues, we demand a clear disclosure of the Institute's mental health protocol regarding students seeking counselling, how the cases of students in mental distress are addressed administratively, what is the role of the Student Counseling Services, the Associate Dean Student Welfare, Dean, Student Affairs and the Director within this protocol," the letter stated.

Students have also questioned the institute's broader approach to mental health and welfare, citing what they described as repeated student deaths on campus. They said the situation pointed to a "systematic problem" and sought information on steps taken to implement the Expert Committee Report on Students' Mental Well-being on Campus.

They had demanded that classes at the Lecture Hall Complex and across the campus be called off on Aug 24, arguing that students should not be expected to resume normal academic activities following Kumar's death.

The Deputy Registrar subsequently informed students and faculty, "Dear Students and Faculty Members, the undersigned is directed to inform that due to unavoidable circumstances, all classes scheduled for today, 24 Aug 2026, stand cancelled."

In another part of their letter, students said, "Students should not be made to go back to LHC thinking it is business as usual. The system needs to take a PAUSE," the letter read.

The protesters have also called for ₹1 crore compensation for Kumar's family and asked the administration to officially assure students that no punitive action will be taken against those participating in the demonstrations.

Separate protests were held outside IIT Delhi on Aug 23 by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union and the All India Students' Association. Both groups called for an independent investigation and raised concerns over what they described as institutional negligence and inadequate transparency in decisions affecting students' academic and counseling support.

The students' allegations regarding administrative lapses remain separate from the determination of the circumstances and cause of Kumar's death, which are subject to the police investigation.