'There is something wrong': SC raises concern about rising number of student suicides at institutes

The Supreme Court on Monday sought reports from IIT-Kharagpur and Sharda University over the recent deaths of two students on campus, as it expressed concern over the rising number of student suicides at higher education institutions. The court also warned both universities of contempt action if there was any delay in lodging FIRs in the cases, a TOI report stated.

SC takes note of campus deaths

A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan took suo motu cognisance of the suicide cases and noted that this was the fourth such incident in the past seven months at IIT-Kharagpur. A fourth-year undergraduate student was found dead in his room three days ago. On the same day, a BDS student at Sharda University in Greater Noida allegedly died by suicide in her hostel room.

“There is something wrong,” the bench said, while pointing out the increasing trend of suicides in educational institutions.

Institutions must respond by July 28

The court directed both institutions to file their responses by July 28. It asked for details on the immediate steps taken after the deaths, the timing and filing of FIRs, and the findings of any preliminary investigations.

“We would like to know how promptly the FIRs were registered in both the cases. We would also like to know who registered the FIRs. We would also like to know how promptly the management of IIT-Kharagpur and Sharda University acted no sooner they learnt about the suicides. We would also like to know what has the preliminary investigation undertaken so far revealed in both the cases,” the bench said.

Advocate Aparna Bhat has been asked to assist the court in the case.

Senior advocate M R Shamshad, representing IIT-Kharagpur, told the court that there was no delay and that the police had been informed immediately.

Court reviews earlier order on student suicides

The court is reviewing the implementation of its March 24 order directing the Centre to form a 10-member National Task Force under a former Supreme Court judge to address suicides in educational institutions.

According to earlier submissions, 98 students have died by suicide in premier institutes since 2018. This includes 39 from IITs, 25 from NITs, 25 from central universities, four from IIMs, three from Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), and two from IIITs.

The task force is headed by retired Justice Ravindra Bhat and includes experts in psychiatry and clinical psychology. It has been asked to examine various causes of suicide, such as ragging, caste-based discrimination, gender bias, sexual harassment, academic stress, financial issues, mental health stigma, and identity-based challenges.

Panel yet to begin work

Despite being constituted four months ago, the task force has not started functioning due to lack of logistical support. The bench directed the Centre to provide the necessary facilities, including office space, to enable the panel to carry out its responsibilities.