Ministry of Education forms committee to probe IIIT Ranchi student death

The Indian Ministry of Education has established a three-member committee to investigate the death of a first-year student at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Ranchi. The student, identified as Aditya Kumar from Bihar, was reportedly found dead in his hostel room on October 10.

Chaired by Professor Rajni Abbi, Director of the University of Delhi's South Campus, the committee includes a senior psychiatrist and a senior official from the Ministry of Education. The panel is tasked with examining the circumstances of the death and assessing the institute's compliance with safety and welfare guidelines.

Specifically, the investigation will review the availability of basic facilities, institutional support systems, counseling and mentoring services, and student grievance redressal mechanisms. The goal is to identify systemic gaps and recommend measures to strengthen student well-being and prevent future occurrences. The Ministry is also implementing interim administrative arrangements to ensure the continued smooth operation of the institute.