PhD Scholar found dead in Iit Kharagpur

A PhD student was found dead in Iit Kharagpur on Saturday (September 20, 2025). The body of the 27-year-old researcher was found around 2 p.m. in the BR Ambedkar Hall

The deceased, Harshkumar Pandey from Jharkhand, strived for research into mechanical engineering.

After the father of the researcher could not reach him by telephone, he contacted the security of the institute. His room was locked, after which the Institute warned the local police.

Pandey’s body was restored in the afternoon and sent to the BC Roy Hospital in Iit Kharagpur, where doctors declared him dead.

With this incident, the number of unnatural deaths in Iit Kharagpur in 2025 became six, five of these cases of death due to suicide, and one person died after stifling medication.

“The administration has initiated a FIR and the police started an investigation into the incident. The Institute is expanding full cooperation to the authorities,” said an official release of Iit Kharagpur.

The director of the Institute, Professor Suman Chakraborty, expressed sorrow about the incident and offered his participation.

Series Death

The death of Pandey follows that of a 21-year-old B. tech student, Ritam Mondal, who was found dead in his hostel room on July 18. On May 4, Mohammad Asif Qamar, 22, a third-year B.Tech student, was found dead in his room. In April a final -year student, Aniket Walker, 22, ended his life from Maharashtra. This was preceded by the death of Shaon Malik, 21, a third -year student of electrical engineering.

Steps for the well -being of students

In May, after the death of Qasam, the Supreme Court asked if a FIR was registered and a report was sought. Later the court wondered why so many students died of suicide at the Institute.

With the rising mental health problems and student deaths, the institute started an integrated mental health support system and was a 10-person committee consisting of psychologists, legal professionals, educationists, counselors and alumni.

The newly appointed director, Mr. Chakraborty, launched the ‘Campus Mother’ program and an AI-driven student welfare app called Heart. The concept of ‘campus mothers’, however, was confronted with mixed assessments, with many mental health care experts called ‘gender’ and an ‘intervention at surface level’.

(People in need or suicidal thoughts can look for counseling by naming suicide prevention -helpline number: Disha -0471-2552056, 1056)