IIT Kharagpur to file FIR in student suicide case
Kolkata, May 8 (PTI): In the wake of the unnatural death of a third-year civil engineering student on May 4, the IIT Kharagpur has decided to formally file a First Information Report (FIR) with local police, urging a full investigation into the tragedy.
Acting Director Amit Patra told PTI on Thursday that although police were promptly informed about the discovery of Md Asif Qamar’s body through a written complaint, the process to formally lodge an FIR is now underway and expected to be completed by this evening.
"Needless to say, we always inform police after any such incident, both orally and in writing, as we did in the case of Qamar. We have extended all cooperation to the police," Patra said.
"But IIT Kharagpur is filing a complaint in the form of an FIR over the death of the third-year student, as required under law. We will strictly follow the laid-down procedures to facilitate a police investigation into the boy's death," he added.
The institute’s move comes after the Supreme Court, on May 6, sought to know whether FIRs had been registered in the wake of Qamar’s death, as well as in the case of a NEET aspirant who died by suicide in Kota, Rajasthan.
Although Patra did not directly mention the Supreme Court’s order, the apex court has taken suo motu cognisance of both cases.
It specifically questioned whether IIT Kharagpur had lodged an FIR following Qamar’s death and raised similar concerns regarding the case of the NEET aspirant, who hanged herself in her room in Kota.
Meanwhile, IIT Kharagpur has begun forming a committee to examine the circumstances surrounding recent student suicides and to recommend preventive measures.
The institute has been facing increasing scrutiny after three student suicides were reported on campus since January.
Qamar was found hanging in his room at Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya (MMM) Hall of Residence just two weeks after the death of Aniket Walkar, a fourth-year student of ocean engineering and naval architecture.
On January 12, the body of third-year undergraduate student Shaon Malik was discovered in his hostel room.
Additionally, in June 2024, Devika Pillai, a fourth-year biotechnology and biochemical engineering student, also died by suicide.
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Sringeri postal ballot recount: Cong MLA Raje Gowda’s tally reduced by 255 votes
Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled for Congress MLA T D Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission for further decision, he said.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on the election petition filed by BJP’s defeated candidate D N Jeevaraj challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting took place on Saturday and continued until midnight.
Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes.
“The High Court on April 6 had ordered reverification and recounting. As per that order, the exercise has been completed. The court order did not direct us to announce the results; it also did not refer to EVM votes. The order was specific only to postal ballots,” returning officer Gaurav Kumar Shetty said.
Speaking to reporters late on Saturday night, he said, “During the 2023 vote counting, Jeevaraj had received 692 votes, while Raje Gowda had received 569 votes. Now, after reverification and recounting, Jeevaraj has 690 valid votes, which is two votes less than earlier, while Raje Gowda has 314 votes, a difference of 255 votes.”
After the reverification and recounting as per the court order, the strong room was sealed, and a report was sent to the Election Commission.
The returning officer said that as per Election Commission rules, there are clear guidelines on how to accept or reject a vote, and the procedure was followed accordingly.
Regarding allegations of vote tampering, he said the allegations are criminal in nature and do not fall under his jurisdiction.
Jeevaraj, speaking to reporters, said, “As per the current count, I have the majority. Officials have said that the Election Commission will make the formal announcement. I will wait for the Commission’s order.”
Raje Gowda expressed doubts about “vote tampering” and demanded a detailed inquiry into Jeevaraj and others. He said he would file a case in this regard.
“There are markings on the ballots polled in my favour. Different ink has been used; it is clearly visible. During the 2023 counting, all those ballots were deemed valid in the presence of counting agents of all parties. Now, such votes have been declared invalid, bringing down my tally,” he told reporters.
Raje Gowda and his supporters had earlier celebrated on Saturday, claiming the results were in their favour.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar on Sunday alleged a “big conspiracy” in Sringeri.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the Congress would take up the matter legally and would pursue all possible steps from the government.
“No one can imagine that they (the BJP) will indulge in such criminal activity. This is evidence of how former MLA Jeevaraj misused officials close to him. I have received a report, and I am studying it. It is systematic criminal activity. I will go through the report and take further action. I had been watching developments overnight,” he added.
State BJP president B Y Vijayendra said that, as per his information, the Congress was pressuring officials not to declare the results.
Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, he said, “Jeevaraj, after losing the election, went to court. Now, after the High Court order, recounting has happened, and Jeevaraj has won by 56 votes. There appears to be a conspiracy by the ruling Congress to delay the announcement of results to allow Raje Gowda time to approach the High Court.”
Jeevaraj has already faced “injustice” for about three years by being denied the MLA post, Vijayendra said. “The injustice should not continue, and the Congress should accept the mandate of the people.”
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress and its leader, Rahul Gandhi, of “vote theft.”
“The Congress, which has been illegitimately enjoying power in the Sringeri Assembly seat for the past three years, now faces humiliation. This is not merely the victory of one individual; it is the victory of democracy. It is a hard-earned triumph for the value of the votes cast by Sringeri’s voters,” he posted on X, congratulating Jeevaraj.
