iit-kharagpur-student-from-maharashtra-found-hanging

The body of 22-year-old Aniket Walkar, a fourth-year student from Maharashtra, was found hanging in his hostel room at IIT Kharagpur early on Monday, sparking renewed concern over student safety and mental health at one of the country’s premier institutions.

 

Aniket, who was pursuing a degree in the Department of Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture, resided in Room C-214 of Jagadish Chandra Bose Hall.

 

According to police sources, his body was discovered hanging from the ceiling fan. Although the initial suspicion points to suicide, the authorities are treating the case with caution and have launched an investigation from all possible angles.

 

The room has been sealed by Kharagpur Town Police, and the body has been sent to the Kharagpur Subdistrict Hospital for autopsy. Aniket’s parents have been informed.

 

This latest incident adds to a growing list of student deaths at IIT Kharagpur under troubling and often mysterious circumstances. Just three months ago, on 12 January, Shaon Malik (21), a third-year Electrical Engineering student, was found dead in a similar manner in his hostel room.

 

Only days before Aniket’s death, an academic staff member also died under suspicious circumstances on the same campus.

 

The disturbing trend dates back even further. In June 2023, the hanging body of Devika Pillai, a student from Kerala, was discovered in one of the halls.

 

In October 2023, K Kiran Chandra, an Electrical Engineering student from Telangana, also died under mysterious circumstances. His body too was recovered from his hostel room.

 

A year earlier, in October 2022, the death of Faizan Ahmed from Assam had sent shockwaves through the institute. His lifeless body was discovered in a hostel room, and questions surrounding the cause of death remain unresolved.

 

The frequency of these tragic deaths has sparked outrage and concern among students, alumni, and families, with growing calls for better mental health support, transparent investigations, and systemic reforms within the institute.

 

Here are some suicide prevention and mental health helplines in India that provide confidential support 24/7 or during extended hours. These are trusted organisations offering help to anyone in emotional distress:

 

India Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Helplines

1. iCall – Tata Institute of Social Sciences
   Phone: 9152987821
   Available: 8 AM to 10 PM (all days)
   Website: www.icallhelpline.org
   Multilingual, psychosocial support via phone and email

2. AASRA
   Phone: +91-9820466726
   Available 24x7
   Website: www.aasra.info
   Based in Mumbai, offers pan-India help

3. Snehi
   Phone: +91-9582208181
   Available: 10 AM to 6 PM (Monday–Saturday)
   Website: www.snehi.org

4. Samaritans Mumbai
   Phone: +91-84229 84528 / +91-84229 84529 / +91-84229 84530
   Available: 5 PM to 8 PM (all days)
   Confidential emotional support

5. Fortis Mental Health Helpline
   Phone: +91-8376804102
   Available 24x7
   Website: www.fortishealthcare.com

6. Lifeline Foundation (Kolkata-based)
   Phone: +91-33-24637401 / +91-33-24637432
   Available: 10 AM to 6 PM
   Trained volunteers, English and Bengali

7. Vandrevala Foundation Helpline
   Phone: 1860 266 2345 or 1800 233 3330 (toll-free)
   Website: www.vandrevalafoundation.com
   Also has a mobile app and chat option

If someone is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services (100 / 112) or visit the nearest hospital.