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Students demanded a separate body where those experiencing mental health difficulties can seek assistance without relying solely on existing administrative mechanisms.
IIT Delhi students are seeking an independent inquiry, financial assistance for Kumar’s family and a comprehensive overhaul of the institute’s support mechanisms. (Image: X/@ARPITy26)
Students at IIT Delhi are calling for sweeping changes to the institute’s student welfare and mental health support systems, arguing that repeated committees and administrative interventions have failed to produce meaningful improvements on campus following the death of 31-year-old MSc student Rishikesh Kumar, reported ANI.
Saksham, a second-year BTech student at IIT Delhi who is participating in the ongoing protest, said the agitation began after Kumar’s death on August 22. Students are seeking an independent inquiry, financial assistance for Kumar’s family and a comprehensive overhaul of the institute’s support mechanisms.
He said students believe their key demands have not yet received concrete decisions, prompting them to continue the protest. “Our core demands have largely not been accepted. Demands were raised regarding financial compensation, an independent investigation, and a free and fair systemic overhaul. On all these fronts, students feel that no concrete decisions have been made yet, which is why they are continuing with their protest,” Saksham said.
Kumar died on August 22 after falling from the sixth floor of the Lecture Hall Complex at IIT Delhi. Police said no suicide note was recovered and that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is underway.
Saksham, who had met Kumar twice through the institute’s Purvanchal Community, described him as helpful and a student with strong leadership qualities. He said Kumar’s death had come as a shock to those who knew him.
According to Saksham, the students are seeking institutional reforms rather than simply the removal or resignation of individual administrators. He alleged that after such incidents, committees are formed, reports are prepared and recommendations are made, but students do not see sufficient changes on the ground.
Students, he said, deal with academic workloads alongside placement preparation, internships, projects and other pressures. He stressed the need for mechanisms that can identify and address student concerns before they escalate into serious crises.
“The reality is that every time an incident occurs, the administration simply claims that an investigation will be conducted and a committee will be set up. Every time, the same cycle repeats: a committee is formed, a report is submitted, everything goes on paper, but nothing concrete changes on the ground,” he told the news agency.
One of the key demands is the establishment of an independent and dedicated Mental Health Cell at IIT Delhi. Students want a separate body where those experiencing mental health difficulties can seek assistance and have their concerns addressed without relying solely on existing administrative mechanisms.
Saksham also questioned whether changes in administrative personnel would be enough to prevent similar incidents in the future. He argued that replacing individuals without addressing institutional shortcomings could lead to the same cycle of protests and inquiries if another tragedy occurs.
He said students intend to continue the protest until the administration offers meaningful systemic solutions. He also alleged that some political elements were attempting to divert the movement from its focus on student welfare and mental health, while protesting students wanted the issue to remain centred on IIT Delhi.
Meanwhile, former Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar, who had been proposed as chairperson of the external inquiry committee constituted by IIT Delhi to investigate Rishikesh’s death, has recused himself from the panel, citing prior commitments, sources at IIT Delhi told ANI. A new chairperson is expected to be announced soon.
The proposed five-member external inquiry committee, announced by IIT Delhi Director Prof Rangan Banerjee, was to include Ashok Kumar, AIIMS New Delhi psychiatry department head Prof Pratap Sharma, two student representatives and the institute’s Registrar, who was designated as secretary and convenor.
Some protesting students had opposed the proposed composition and called for the inquiry to be headed by a former High Court judge.
IIT Delhi has said the external committee will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and recommend measures to strengthen student support systems. The institute has also proposed appointing an external ombudsperson to address grievances that remain unresolved through existing internal mechanisms.
According to IIT Delhi, Kumar joined the institute in July 2025 and was staying in a campus hostel. The institute said concerns were raised by fellow students following the Holi festivities earlier this year, after which he was referred to the institute hospital and later underwent approximately a month of treatment at a specialised hospital.
The institute said Kumar’s requests to withdraw from the second and third semesters were approved. It also said he received counselling and treatment support during July and August.
Students have continued their protest on the IIT Delhi campus since Kumar’s death, seeking an independent inquiry, the resignation of the Dean of Student Welfare and financial assistance for his family, among other demands.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18IIT Delhi will constitute an external inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Rishikesh Kumar’s death and identify further measures to strengthen student support systems. The committee will include former Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar, Professor Pratap Sharma, two student representatives, and the IIT Delhi Registrar. Additionally, an external ombudsperson will be appointed to address student grievances.
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August 26, 2026, 2:50 PM IST
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