IIIT Ranchi student death: NHRC to examine allegations of administrative negligence and delayed medical aid

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the death of a first-year BTech student at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Ranchi and is set to examine allegations of delayed medical assistance and administrative negligence, according to media reports.

Aditya, a resident of Purnia district in Bihar, was found dead in his hostel room on Saturday night. His death sparked protests on campus, with students questioning the institute administration's handling of the emergency and demanding accountability.

The NHRC's inquiry will cover the circumstances surrounding the student's death, the alleged delay in providing medical treatment, claims of administrative negligence and the cause of death.

“We are going to issue necessary directions to the Law Enforcement Authorities and Investigation Agencies, including the Ministry of Education,” the NHRC said.

The incident came to light after Aditya's room reportedly remained locked until around 11:30 pm on Saturday. Concerned about his whereabouts, fellow students broke open the door and found him inside. They then took him to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead after examination, the report said.

The incident prompted protests across the hostel campus, with students raising slogans against the institute administration. They alleged that essential emergency medical facilities, including an ambulance and oxygen support, were inadequate and claimed that timely assistance might have helped save Aditya's life.

Khelgaon Police Station in-charge Nirbhay Kumar said the student was between 19 and 20 years old.

Police have suggested that examination pressure may have contributed to the death, as exams began on Oct 8. However, the exact cause of death has not been established, and the investigation is ongoing.

"The deceased was a first-year student from Bihar. He was aged between 19 and 20 years. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim committed suicide under examination pressure, with exams having started on October 8. His body was sent for post-mortem examination at RIMS," Kumar said.

Students also alleged that the administration failed to arrange timely transportation to a hospital and that the ambulance was unavailable for the emergency.

"It is a murder case rather than suicide because the victim was alive. The college authorities took no accountability; their ambulance had no driver. No one was ready to pick him up and take him to the hospital. The warden stopped us from giving him CPR to save his life," Vaibhav, a first-year student, told media persons.

The allegations about delayed medical assistance and the availability of emergency facilities are expected to be among the issues examined by the NHRC.

The students' claims have not been independently established, and the police investigation into the circumstances of Aditya's death remains underway.