IIT Kharagpur student found dead, 5th case of suspected suicide this year

“His parents could not reach him on the phone, and the door of his room was locked from the inside. Subsequently, police were informed, and they broke into the room to find his body,” an IIT-Kharagpur spokesperson said.

Harsh’s body was recovered by police around 2 pm. “An investigation has been launched into how the incident happened, and the reason behind it,” a senior police officer said.

IIT Kharagpur issued a statement on Saturday evening. “The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, deeply mourns the untimely demise of Mr. Harsh Kumar Pandey… a first-year Ph.D. research scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Mr Pandey was found to have passed away in his room at B.R. Ambedkar Hall of Residence on the afternoon of September 20, 2025. On receiving the information, the Institute’s security response team immediately reached the hostel premises, followed by the Institute’s medical team, administrative officials, and local police authorities. His family was informed promptly.”

The institute said it has constituted a fact-finding committee to examine the matter.

IIT Kharagpur Director Prof. Suman Chakraborty said the institute is committed to building a supportive ecosystem and offers round-the-clock mental health services.