IIT Delhi student death: Probe panel hits first hurdle as former Uttarakhand DGP recuses himself

New Delhi: Former Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar has recused himself as chair of the external inquiry committee proposed by IIT Delhi to investigate the death of 31-year-old student Rishikesh Kumar, citing prior commitments, sources at the institute confirmed to ANI.

IIT Delhi is expected to announce a new chairperson for the five-member panel soon.

The committee was announced early on Tuesday by IIT Delhi Director Professor Rangan Banerjee in an email to students. The proposed panel included Ashok Kumar, an IIT Delhi alumnus and former Uttarakhand DGP; Professor Pratap Sharma, head of the psychiatry department at AIIMS New Delhi; two student representatives; and the institute’s Registrar, who was to serve as secretary and convenor.

“The chair of the committee has recused himself from the panel citing prior commitments,” an IIT source told ANI.

The proposed composition had also drawn objections from some protesting students, who demanded that the inquiry be headed by a former High Court judge.

Protests at IIT Delhi

Students at IIT Delhi have been protesting since Rishikesh’s death on August 22. They have demanded an independent investigation, the resignation of the Dean of Student Welfare and financial assistance for the deceased student’s family, among other measures.

The institute had agreed to set up an external inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In a statement issued on August 25, IIT Delhi said the committee would be given a mandate to examine the matter comprehensively and recommend further measures to strengthen support systems for students.

The institute also proposed appointing an external ombudsperson to address student grievances that remain unresolved through existing internal mechanisms.

IIT Delhi details student’s treatment

According to IIT Delhi, Rishikesh joined the institute in July 2025 and was staying in a campus hostel.

The institute said concerns were raised by fellow students a few days after the Holi celebrations earlier this year. He was subsequently referred to the institute hospital and later received treatment at a specialised hospital for around a month.

His request to withdraw from the second semester was approved. Following a review of his health records in July, medical advice was given that he should continue under parental supervision.

IIT Delhi said Rishikesh received counselling and treatment support from institute counsellors and doctors during July and August. His request to withdraw from the third semester was also approved.

The institute has also said it is providing financial assistance to Rishikesh’s family through contributions from faculty members, students and staff.

Rishikesh died on August 22 after falling from the sixth floor of the Lecture Hall Complex at IIT Delhi. Police have said no suicide note was found and that the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.