PhD Student At IIT Kanpur Dies By Suicide, Third Incident In A Month

Priyanka Jaiswal, a 29-year-old PhD student, found dead at her hostel room in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur on Wednesday. This constitutes the third suicide incident in the institute campus in a month.

Priyanka Jaiswal joined the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Institute December last year. She was a native of Jharkhand”s Dumka district.

Additional DCP (West) Akash Patel told that they have received information at around 1 pm that a PhD scholar had committed suicide in her room. When police team rushed to the spot, they found Priyanka Jaiswal”s room was locked from inside. As they broke open the door Police found the woman”s body hanging from the ceiling fan. Her hostel mates had informed the institute authorities at first, who later called the police.

A police forensic team has also been called to the campus to assess the reason for the death. Possible reasons behind Jaiswal’s suicide will only be revealed after a preliminary probe and completing other formalities, Akash Patel said.

“With Ms. Priyanka’s passing away, the Institute lost a bright and promising young student,” institute said in their official statement.

It was on January 11, an MTech student, Vikas Kumar Meena, died by suicide on the institute campus. Prior to this on December 19, a postdoctoral researcher Pallavi Chilka (34) hanged herself from the ceiling fan in her hostel room in the campus.

(With inputs from PTI)

(This news story may contain content to suicide and suicidal behaviour. Such topics can be sensitive and may trigger emotional responses. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviours, we urge you to seek help immediately. Contact your local mental health crisis hotline, a mental health professional, or a trusted person in your life.

You may call 14416 or 1-8008914416 Tele MANAS service, a comprehensive mental health care service by Government of India.)