IIT Delhi will constitute an external inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of 31-year-old MSc student Rishikesh Kumar, a day after students protested at the campus. The institute also proposed appointing an external ombudsperson and detailed the psychiatric care and counselling provided to Kumar before his death. By Asmi Saxena August 26, 2026, 12:12:26 AM IST (Published)
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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on Tuesday said it is constituting an external inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of 31-year-old MSc student Rishikesh Kumar, while also detailing the psychiatric care and counselling he received from the institute before his death. The announcement came a day after hundreds of students gathered at the Lecture Hall Complex (LHC) to protest Kumar’s death and demand an independent inquiry, accountability and changes to the institute’s student welfare systems.
IIT Delhi said the external committee would be given the mandate to examine the circumstances leading to Kumar’s death and identify any further measures required to strengthen student support systems. The institute also proposed appointing an external ombudsperson to address student grievances that remain unresolved through existing internal mechanisms. IIT Delhi details psychiatric care provided to Kumar IIT Delhi said Kumar joined the institute in July 2025 and was residing in a hostel on campus.
According to the institute, concerns about his well-being were raised by fellow students a few days after the Holi festivities earlier this year. He was then referred to the IIT Delhi Hospital through the institute ambulance and assessed by the institute psychiatrist. His family subsequently informed the institute that they wanted to take him to a specialised hospital. IIT Delhi said Kumar underwent about one month of inpatient treatment there before being discharged. The institute said Kumar later requested withdrawal from the January-May 2026 semester, which was approved. In July, his health records were reviewed and medical advice was again given that he should remain under parental supervision.
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IIT Delhi said Kumar received counselling and treatment support from the institute counsellor and doctor in both July and August 2026. His request to withdraw from the July-November 2026 semester was also approved. Students question welfare and support systems The institute’s statement follows two days of protests by students over Kumar’s death. Students have raised questions about hostel accommodation, academic project allocation and access to mental health support. They have also demanded the resignation of a Dean and Associate Deans and compensation for Kumar’s family. Students have said that eight deaths by suicide have occurred at IIT Delhi since 2023. The Cockroach Janata Party has backed the protesters and called for action on student welfare and mental health support.
IIT Delhi said it currently provides access to empanelled counsellors, whose costs are reimbursed by the institute, along with 15 on-campus counsellors, one full-time psychiatrist and two part-time psychiatrists, one each from AIIMS and VIMHANS. The institute said it bears all treatment costs.
The institute also said it was providing financial support to Kumar’s family through contributions from faculty, students and staff. Home India News IIT Delhi announces external inquiry into Rishikesh Kumar’s death, says student received psychiatric care
