Guwahati: A third-year BTech student from Odisha died after falling from a building on the IIT Guwahati campus on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 2:30 pm in the institute’s academic complex, where the student, identified as Ritesh Raj Singh, a Computer Science and Engineering student residing in Brahmaputra Hostel, allegedly fell from the fifth floor. Singh, a native of Puri, was described by sources as a bright student with an excellent academic record who had recently secured an internship with global investment banking firm Goldman Sachs.
On being informed, police reached the spot and sent the body for postmortem. While it is being suspected that he died by suicide, further investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances leading to his death.
IIT Guwahati has stated that it is fully cooperating with the police probe. “We are awaiting their findings before we share any further information on this matter. His parents are on their way to the campus, and the Institute is in close contact with the family, providing all necessary support during this difficult time,” the institute said in a statement.
The institute appealed to the public not to speculate until the investigation is complete. It also highlighted existing mental health resources on campus, including the SAATHI Counselling Club — comprising student volunteers who work alongside professional counsellors — and the Centre for Holistic Wellbeing.
“We urge all students who may be struggling, or who know a friend who is struggling, to reach out to these support systems. We assure that no one on this campus has to face difficult times alone,” the statement added.
(With inputs from PTI and India Today)