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Journalism of Courage
Jitesh Sharma, a third-year chemical engineering student of IIT Bombay, was found dead on the terrace of a hostel on the campus Saturday evening.
The 21-year-old student was reportedly suffering from depression and undergoing counselling for over six months.
Sharma’s body was found on Saturday evening, around 7 pm, on the terrace of hostel number 15 B on the campus. Sharma, however, lived in hostel 8.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Sharma had consumed some poisonous chemical. A container of sodium azide, was found next to his body, said an officer from the Powai police.
A first-year student living in hostel 15 B found Sharma lying on the terrace with froth coming out of his mouth. He called other students and alerted the security. Sharma was then rushed to the IIT Bombay hospital, where he was declared dead. The police were informed and Sharma’s body was sent to Rajawadi hospital for post-mortem.
“He looked fine on Saturday morning. When I saw him, I stopped to say bye as I was going home. He smiled at me and said bye. It came as a big shock to me when I found out on a WhatsApp group that Jitesh committed suicide,” said a classmate.
According to the police, the suicide note stated that he was worried about the results of his exams and was apprehensive about not getting a good placement. According to the Powai police, Sharma’s suicide note stated: “I did a mistake by appearing and passing in JEE exam. This field is not for me.”
Sharma had appeared for two papers, which were scheduled on April 24 and on April 29.
Professor Anindya Dutta, dean of students affair, said, “The student had been undergoing regular counselling sessions since the beginning of this semester. Hence, his parents knew he was depressed. As suggested by the counsellors, his parents visited him once or twice a month. He was weak in studies and was depressed about it, but according to the counsellors, he was improving,” said Dutta.
A student, who is part of the institute’s Placement Cell, said, “He interacted with very selected people, but actively participated in the events of placement cell. It’s really shocking to know that he killed himself.”
Sharma was very active in extra-curricular activities, according to his friends.
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