New Delhi, Aug 25 (IANS) Describing student welfare and mental well-being as a top priority, IIT Delhi on Tuesday constituted a five-member external inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragic death of an MSc Physics student on the campus on Saturday.
The student apparently was undergoing treatment under psychiatrists for a few months preceding the incident that took place around 8.30 a.m. at the Lecture Hall Complex.
The probe team is likely to include former Uttarakhand DGP and IIT Delhi alumnus Ashok Kumar, head of AIIMS Delhi’s psychiatry department, the IIT Delhi registrar and two student representatives.
In an official statement, IIT Delhi said the Institute will ensure the inquiry committee has the mandate to examine the matter comprehensively and identify any further measures needed to strengthen student support systems.
In addition, it said it proposes appointing an external ombudsperson to address student grievances that remain unresolved through existing internal mechanisms.
The Institute is also extending financial support to his family through contributions from faculty, students and staff, it said, a day after students on campus held a protest seeking justice for the student who was residing in a hostel on campus. On Tuesday, a group of students expressed their anger over the incident by dressing in black.
IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee sent an email to all students on Tuesday informing them of the decision to constitute the five-member probe panel.
The Institute said it is further inviting students to come forward with their suggestions and concerns so it can continuously improve its systems and create a safer, more responsive and supportive campus environment.
IIT Delhi said that it has been consistently strengthening its mental health support systems and remains firmly committed to ensuring that students have access to timely, professional and comprehensive care.
The Institute currently provides access to empanelled counsellors, with the costs reimbursed by the Institute, along with 15 on-campus counsellors and one full-time psychiatrist and two part-time psychiatrists (one each from AIIMS and VIMHANS). The Institute bears all treatment costs, the statement said.
–IANS
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