IIT Kharagpur Campus. |Picture source: File Photo
A fourth-year undergraduate student at Kharagpur, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in West Bengal was found dead on Sunday evening, April 20.
Aniket Walkar, 22, was celebrated by Maharashtra and was the last year student in the Department of Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture. He reportedly found him dead in the room of the Institute’s JC Bose residence hall on Sunday night.
“The campus safety and medical team was immediately alerted and informed the local police department. Mr Walkar’s family also contacted the incident and informed the incident,” a statement from the institute said.
Police are conducting an investigation to determine the death of Mr Walkar. The body has been sent for autopsy.
A senior police officer told Hindu Although the post-mortem report is yet to be tried, preliminary findings based on how to recover the body (surface evidence) suggest the possibility of suicide. A case of unnatural death related to the incident has been registered.
He added that the bodies were preserved on Monday, waiting for the family to arrive. The autopsy will be photographed Tuesday in the presence of parents of the deceased at the Middlenapol Medical College and the hospital.
Meanwhile, the institute authorities have urged students to use the counseling and support services available on campus during this difficult time. In response to this incident, the authorities also postponed the scheduled examinations from April 21 to April 26, 2025.
Following the incident, some faculty and staff at the institute reiterated their request for the prompt appointment of IIT Kharagpur to the permanent director.
On December 31 last year (2024), Professor Amit Patra, Director of the University of India at IIT Banaras, served as interim director of IIT Kharagpur until regular appointments.
This marks the second unnatural student death on the IIT Kharagpur campus this year. In January, the body of a third-year undergraduate student was found from the Azad Residence Hall on campus.
A faculty member who wishes to remain anonymous said: “The recurring misfortunes on campus highlight the direct need for the centrally appointed head of the Institute at IIT Kharagpur, which can ensure further development of the institute and overall welfare for students.”
He added that the institute needed a regular director who was “a remarkable academician worldwide, his work and contributions were recognized and recognized, and understood the internal dynamics of IIT Kharagpur to make the institution the outstanding position it deserves.”
Earlier this month, the IIT Kharagpur Teachers Association wrote to the Chairman of the Board, TV Narendran, urging him to appoint a regular director immediately.
In the letter, the teacher’s body emphasized the need for regular directors to address certain pressing issues surrounding IIT Kharagpur.
Those who are in distress or suicidal tendencies can call for help and consultation Sanjivini, Mental Health Association exist 011-40769002((Monday to Friday, 10:00-7.30 pm)
publishing – April 22, 2025 at 12:55 am IST
