IIIT Nagpur Student Dies by Suicide; Police Suspect Academic Stress

A second-year student of the Indian Institute of Information Technology Nagpur (IIIT Nagpur) died by suicide after allegedly jumping from the upper floor of a hostel building on Monday morning. The deceased has been identified as Shreyash Chandrakant Mane, 20.

According to police, the incident took place between 4 am and 4.30 am while most hostel residents were asleep. Officials suspect the student was under stress related to academics, as semester examinations were scheduled to begin in the coming days. No suicide note was recovered from the scene.

“A case of accidental death has been registered. We are probing all angles, including personal and academic reasons,” Assistant Inspector Nilesh Chaure said.

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Police said further clarity regarding the circumstances leading to the incident is expected after examination of the student’s mobile phone. An investigation is underway. Officials said Mane was staying on the fourth floor of the hostel but allegedly went to the ninth floor before taking the extreme step.

Police were also shocked by the condition in which the student was found. According to investigators, he had stuffed cloth into his mouth and taped it, allegedly to prevent himself from screaming after the jump. Police also found chewing gum placed in his nose and injuries on both his hands.

Friends of the student told police that some of Mane’s first-year subjects remained uncleared and that he had reportedly not appeared for several second-year examinations. Investigators suspect he may have been under severe mental stress. The incident has once again raised concerns about the academic pressure faced by students in higher educational institutions.

Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Helpline Numbers:
Tele Manas (Ministry of Health) – 14416 or 1800 891 4416; NIMHANS – + 91 80 26995000 /5100 /5200 /5300 /5400; Peak Mind – 080-456 87786; Vandrevala Foundation – 9999 666 555; Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline – 080-23655557; iCALL – 022-25521111 and 9152987821; COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ) – 0832-2252525.