Tragic Suicide at IIT Delhi : MTech Student Found Dead in Hostel Room
In a deeply saddening incident, a 24-year-old student in his second year of Master of Technology (MTech) in Polymer Science and Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi was discovered hanging in his hostel room at Dronagiri hostel.
The tragedy came to light when Sanjay Nerkar’s family was unable to reach him by phone and contacted his hostel mates out of concern for his wellbeing. His friends, acting on the family’s concerns, found his room locked from the inside. Upon forcing entry, they discovered his body hanging from the ceiling fan. The police have since taken his remains into custody.
In an email addressed to the student body, the Dean of Student Affairs conveyed the sorrowful news: “With a very heavy heart, it is our unfortunate duty to inform you of the tragic and untimely demise of our MTech student Varad Sanjay Nerkar (2022MSP2521), a resident of Dronagiri hostel.” The email further confirmed that Nerkar was from Nashik, Maharashtra, and that his family was expected to arrive on February 16.
This marks the first reported student death at IIT Delhi this year. However, the institution is not alone in facing such tragedies. Recently, IIT Kanpur reported two student suicides, both attributed to academic pressure, and IIT Roorkee reported a similar incident on February 13, 2024.
The increasing number of student suicides at premier institutions like IITs underscores the urgent need for enhanced mental health support and intervention strategies to help students cope with academic and personal pressures. The IIT community mourns the loss of Varad Sanjay Nerkar and extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
