In response to a disturbing rise in student suicides at educational institutions, the Supreme Court of India on Monday ordered an investigation into the deaths of two IIT Delhi students from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
The apex court also directed the formation of a National Task Force to address mental health concerns in higher educational institutions.
A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of the south-west district to register an FIR and appoint an officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to lead the investigation.
The court underscored the legal and moral duty of educational institutions to safeguard students’ well-being. It held that in cases of student suicides on campus, the administration must immediately file an FIR with the appropriate authorities.
"Such action is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice," the court observed, stressing that police authorities should act with urgency and diligence in such matters.
The judges also highlighted the wider societal impact of student suicides, stating, "Each suicide is a personal tragedy that prematurely takes a life and leaves a lasting impact on families, friends, and communities."
Recognising the seriousness of the issue, the Supreme Court has initiated steps to formulate comprehensive guidelines to address the underlying causes of student distress. The court has set up a National Task Force, to be led by former Supreme Court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat, with the mandate to develop policies to prevent student suicides and enhance mental health support in higher education institutions.
The court directed the chief secretaries of all states and union territories to nominate a high-ranking officer (not below the rank of Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education) as a nodal officer to assist the task force. Additionally, state and union territory authorities have been instructed to provide full cooperation, data, and assistance for the initiative.
The Supreme Court’s ruling follows an appeal filed by the parents of two IIT Delhi students who died under suspicious circumstances. They had earlier sought an FIR registration, but their plea was dismissed by the Delhi High Court.
In July 2023, BTech student Ayush Ashna was found hanging in his hostel room. On September 1, 2023, Anil Kumar (21), a BTech student from Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district, was also discovered dead in his hostel room. Kumar had joined IIT Delhi in 2019.
Their families allege foul play, arguing that their deaths were not suicides but the result of a conspiracy involving caste-based discrimination by faculty and staff.