Forensic Team Probes IIT Kharagpur — A two-member forensic team, accompanied by district police officials and IIT Kharagpur representatives, visited the hostels on campus this week in connection with the recent deaths of two students—Ritam Mandal and Chandradeep Pawar—sparking renewed concern over student welfare and the academic environment inside India’s premier engineering institutions.
These deaths occurred within days of each other in separate hostels on the vast campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, prompting a deeper forensic and institutional response.
Two Deaths in Two Days: What Happened
- Ritam Mandal, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student from Rajendra Prasad Hall, was found hanging in his room. According to preliminary reports, no suicide note was discovered. The hostel room was sealed, and an autopsy was ordered.
- The next day, Chandradeep Pawar, a first-year electrical engineering student from Nehru Hall, reportedly died after choking on a tablet. Authorities stated that the tablet may have caused an obstruction in his windpipe, though the exact cause is pending a full medical report.
Both rooms were sealed, and samples were taken for forensic analysis. Police have also registered separate cases under unnatural death provisions and are awaiting viscera reports.
The Forensic Investigation
The forensic team examined both hostel rooms meticulously, collecting:
- Tissue and surface swabs
- Tablet remnants and food samples
- Viscera for toxicological testing
- Photographs and measurements of the scene
Investigators stated that no obvious evidence of foul play was found, but nothing has been ruled out until lab results return. These findings will be crucial in either confirming initial suspicions or indicating deeper underlying causes.
Pattern of Deaths on Campus
These incidents follow a string of similar tragedies at IIT Kharagpur:
- In June 2025, two separate deaths—a student and a staff member—raised concerns about institutional mental health support.
- Since 2021, IIT Kharagpur has recorded at least six unnatural student deaths, some officially classified as suicides.
This frequency has triggered alarm among mental health professionals and student advocacy groups who argue that India’s top engineering colleges are becoming high-pressure environments with inadequate support.
Forensic Team Probes IIT Kharagpur: Grief and Tension on Campus
Following the recent deaths, students have expressed fear and grief. Many are questioning the institution’s preventive mechanisms.
A fourth-year student from another hostel said, “We’ve had helplines and counsellors for years, but something’s not connecting. If students still feel like they’re alone or afraid to reach out, then we need more than just token support.”
Faculty members have also expressed concern. One professor, under anonymity, remarked, “We are academically focused, but perhaps not emotionally attentive. The current system was not built to handle these kinds of recurring psychological breakdowns.”
Institutional Response: Measures in Place
In recent years, IIT Kharagpur has introduced several measures to strengthen mental health support:
- A 24×7 counselling helpline
- Regular mental health workshops and seminars
- A student mentorship programme
- AI-based mental wellness tracking system called SETU
However, critics argue that these tools remain underutilized or lack emotional engagement.
What the Data Says
India’s elite technical institutions have been under the spotlight for student suicides and mental health crises:
- A 2022 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed over 13,000 student suicides in India annually.
- According to an IIT Madras survey, more than 40% of students reported suffering from depression or anxiety symptoms during their course tenure.
- The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) recently issued a circular directing all technical institutions to conduct monthly mental health audits and implement compulsory psychological counselling.
These figures reflect a worrying national trend—particularly pronounced in highly competitive academic ecosystems like the IITs.
What Students Are Demanding
Student groups at IIT Kharagpur are now calling for:
- Mandatory, regular mental health check-ins
- Accessible, in-person therapy options
- Peer-led mental wellness clubs
- Structural reforms in grading and evaluation stress
- Increased sensitivity training for faculty and wardens
There’s also a demand to humanise the environment, reduce isolation, and foster open conversation around stress, failure, and seeking help.
Mental Health Crisis in Indian Campuses: A Larger Issue
The issue is not unique to IIT Kharagpur. Multiple cases in recent months underscore a mental health crisis across India’s higher education institutions:
- A second-year student at IIT Delhi was found dead in his hostel room in June 2025 under mysterious circumstances, with no signs of injury.
- An IIT Kanpur PhD student died by suicide, reportedly over academic and emotional distress, triggering calls for faculty accountability.
These cases are highlighting the urgent need for universities and government bodies to overhaul support systems and emergency protocols.
Legal Oversight and Policy Push
Legal experts suggest that institutions may face liability if evidence points to negligence in providing adequate mental health or hostel supervision.
In 2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) published guidelines for psychological wellness in universities, but enforcement remains inconsistent. The Mental Healthcare Act 2017, though progressive, has few mandates specifically tailored to student environments.
There’s a rising demand for a National Campus Mental Health Policy, with uniform frameworks, dedicated funding, and trained mental health officers at every residential academic institute.
Parental Anguish and National Debate
The families of the deceased students are grappling with shock, grief, and disbelief. Ritam Mandal’s father has requested an independent inquiry, citing gaps in communication from the institute. Chandradeep’s parents have reportedly not yet made a public statement, but have traveled to Kharagpur.
National leaders, alumni, and celebrities have started speaking out. On social media, #StudentLivesMatter and #IITWellness have been trending, urging the education ministry to take urgent action.
Where Do We Go From Here?
While the forensic report will provide clarity on immediate causes, the deeper question remains:
Can India’s premier academic institutions evolve to protect not just academic rigor, but also emotional resilience?
Until then, each sealed hostel room is not just a site of investigation, but a symbol of the fragility that underlies even the most brilliant minds.
External Resources and Further Reading
- Mental Healthcare Act 2017 – Full Text (PRS India)
- National Crime Records Bureau – Student Suicide Statistics
- AICTE Guidelines on Mental Health
- IIT Kharagpur Official Website
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