‘Suicide’ in hostel room: IIMA forms ‘Assessment, Review and Reform’ panel; not enough, say students

The students, however, have demanded the constitution of a high-powered committee comprising independent individuals to inquire into the incident.

On Monday, meanwhile, the police visited the campus for an investigation, which was part of the assurance given during the Sunday meeting.

MBA final-year student Akshith Bhukya died by alleged suicide on September 26.

On October 11, through an official email, IIMA declared ARR members and its Terms of Reference (ToR).

The ARR committee with five senior faculty members chaired by Prof Abhiman Das, who was also appointed as the Professor in-charge of Administration last week, includes Prof Pradyumana Khokhle, Prof Prashant Das, Prof Chitra Singla and Prof Kirti Sharda. Prof Sharda is also heading the counselling committee called Board of Emotional Wellness.

The ToR of this committee includes review of “major student events involving significant external interfaces like CHAOS, TRBS, Shaurya, Sangharsh and others, various other student activities including internal events, clubs etc”.

The ARR will also look into the administrative interfaces including faculty involvement, guidelines, controls with various administrative offices and respective programme offices. It will also review the “impact on student life, personal and professional development and stress along with identification of relevant stakeholders and thoughts on their nature of involvement”.

Bhukya’s body was found in his hostel room on the IIMA new campus on the eve of The Red Bricks Summit (TRBS) event. The three-day event was called off by the institute.

The committee will also look into student’s lodging and boarding including residential infrastructure and its upkeep, essential services, food and dining among other issues along with students’ welfare in terms of healthcare, special needs, and contingency financial needs.

“…Academic interconnections with programme schedules, faculty expectations and other programme requirements along with communication strategy and other positions for ensuring the above,” states the ToR of the CRR issued by the IIMA.

The e-mail sent to faculty and students by Prof Das regarding the meeting highlights that “the director categorically emphasised that assessment is an integral part of the committee’s ToR”.

Responding to SAC’s letter, the IIMA director assured them “that the investigation is still pending before the competent authorities. In the meantime, all internal processes related to campus activities, whether academic or community facing, are being carefully reviewed and reassessed to prioritise the welfare of our students”.

Urging the students to disregard any unsubstantiated rumours or misinformation, he said, “The integrity of the ongoing investigation must be respected and it is imperative that we, as responsible citizens, cooperate fully with the authorities as they carry out their lawful duties to seek justice for our lost family member, Akshith.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone-1 Himanshu Kumar Verma, who visited the IIM-A on Monday, told The Indian Express, “I had gone to (the premises) to visit the scene of the incident and allay the students’ concerns and hear their grievances, if any, in this matter.”

The DCP, in the presence of Prof Das and Prof Balagopal Gopalkrishnan, also met the students involved with TRBS. “We were asked general questions about the incident and the event and were told that the police will visit again in a day or two to record our statements,” one of the students told The Indian Express on condition of anonymity.

Asked about the statements of students, DCP Verma said, “While statements of some students and staff are still pending, we will also talk to those who want to make additions to their previous statements. Further investigation remains underway.”

Meanwhile, the students stuck to their demand for the constitution of a high-powered committee.

“It is just today (Monday), through the mail by Prof Das, that we learnt of the constitution of this ARR. This has not been officially communicated by the institute to the students. So we are still unaware about the members and the ToR,” one of the students told The Indian Express.

(Inputs from Brendan Dabhi)