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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Kumaraswamy accuses Cong govt of 'neglecting' farmers in Karnataka
Mysuru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of "neglecting" the farmers in the state and being involved in corruption.
The JD(S) leader took part in an event where President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli in Mandya district, which comes under his Lok Sabha constituency.
"I saw a report that 2,800 farmers have died by suicide after this government came to power (in state). The government seems to be not concerned about the farmers. This government on coming to power said that it will give Rs 24,000 crore as loan to 32 lakh farmers for their farming activities, but till November, about Rs 12,000 crore has been paid to 24 lakh farmers, limiting to what was there earlier by managing the books of account," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "These things show the failures of this government. Also, there is a corrupt system. I will not speak about it now. After December 20, I will speak to you in detail. There are a lot of issues to share with you."
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Responding to a question, the JD(S) leader, who turned 66 today, said there is no use of giving any documents. "I'm waiting for the right time."
Regarding the Congress government introducing a bill against "hate speech" in the Assembly, Kumaswamy said it is aimed at silencing the opposition in the state, but they won't be successful.
"What do Congress leaders have to say about their workers' comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi?. He cited slogans -- 'Modi teri kabr khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi's grave will be dug.. if not today, then tomorrow) -- allegedly raised against Modi at a Congress rally in Delhi on Sunday.
