IIT Delhi PhD Scholar Dies at AIIMS 46 Days After Suspected Suicide Attempt
An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi PhD scholar died on Saturday at the AIIMS Trauma Centre in New Delhi, 46 days after he was found unconscious and injured in his rented accommodation in south Delhi’s Munirka Village. The death marks the third such incident involving an IIT Delhi student this year and the ninth suicide reported at the premier institute within a span of 30 months.
According to a statement issued by the southwest district police, the scholar was found unconscious and injured at his Munirka residence on August 18. Neighbours broke open the door of the house, which had been locked from the inside. The student was immediately rushed to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where he remained under intensive medical care in the ICU for more than 45 days before succumbing on Saturday.
Following his death, police registered a case under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) at the Kishangarh police station on Sunday. Officials stated that the First Information Report was lodged pursuant to directions from the Supreme Court and based on a formal complaint submitted by the Security Officer of IIT Delhi. Police did not elaborate on the specific circumstances of the death or specify against whom the case was registered.
Investigators noted that neither family members nor witnesses raised allegations or suspicion against anyone during the inquiry proceedings. Police stated that the student was alone inside the house at the time of the incident, a detail corroborated by footage gathered from a CCTV camera installed outside the residence.
The student was pursuing his doctoral degree in the Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology. In an email sent to the institute community on Sunday, the dean of student affairs confirmed the student's passing and announced that a condolence meeting would be held on Monday. The dean stated that the student had been receiving treatment in the ICU since August 18 and noted that police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death as per protocol.
The death comes amid heightened scrutiny of the institute following earlier fatalities on campus. On August 22, a 31-year-old student pursuing an MSc in Physics died after jumping from the sixth floor of the Lecture Hall Complex, triggering student protests over academic pressure, lack of mental health support, and denial of hostel accommodation that forced students into off-campus housing. A five-member committee investigating that incident is scheduled to submit its inquiry report by October 10. Earlier in March, a 19-year-old first-year B.Tech student also died by suicide in his campus room.
