For unknown reasons, Ankit Yadav, a former PhD scholar at IIT Kanpur, took his own life, leaving behind a note that read, “I am quitting; this is my decision.” He was found unresponsive in his hostel room on Monday, and police later confirmed that he had taken his own life. The tragic incident has shocked his family and friends at IIT Kanpur. Upon hearing of Ankit’s death, his family rushed from Noida to the IIT Kanpur in the late hours of Monday. Despite efforts from teachers, students, and police officials to comfort them, their grief remained overwhelming. “He never mentioned anything was wrong. How could this happen?” cried Ankit’s father, Rammurat Yadav.
“I cannot ever, to this day, believe my son would take his own life. Everything seemed fine at home. What did he do this for? My biggest strength has gone away and will never come back,” – this sorrowful utterance summarises the pain of my Rammurat Yadav, who had nurtured his son, holding on to hope for his future.
Nobody responded when Ankit’s friends went to Hall 7 on Monday to meet him. They forced open the door and found him unresponsive. Rushing him to the IIT Medical Care Center, the attending doctor later confirmed that he had not survived, police said. A few students have even told IIT Kanpur authorities that Ankit was under tremendous mental stress, but nobody seems to know the clear picture or the reason behind it. Meanwhile, police have started investigating Ankit’s cell phone and laptop to ascertain details.
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A suicide note was found in Ankit’s room with the words, “Pretending to say farewell, and it’s my own decision.” The police have sent the note for forensic handwriting analysis. ADCP West Vijayendra Dwivedi, however, insisted that Ankit did not hold anyone responsible for his demise. “If his family files a complaint, however, we will register a case and start the probe,” he said. In-charge of Kalyanpur police station Sudhir Kumar said they are awaiting the post-mortem reports. More than one of the IIT students and one faculty member have allegedly taken their own lives in IIT Kanpur during the past one year and six months.
On 19 December 2023, the assistant research staff Dr. Pallavi Chilka.
On 10 January 2024, the MTech student Vikas Meena.
On 18 January 2024, the PhD student Priyanka Jaiwal.
On 10 October 2024, the PhD scholar Pragati.
On 10 February 2005, PhD Research scholar Ankit Yadav.
Referring to this, Director Prof Manindra Agrawal said that it was decided to engage with the campus counselling cell. “We would like to work closely with mental health professionals to design a fresh action plan to ensure a stress-free environment for students and faculty,” Agrawal said.
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