‘We heard a loud thud’: IIT Bombay student dies after hostel fall; handwritten note found from room

The IIT Bombay incident occurred around 1 am on Wednesday when Naman Agarwal, a second-year BTech (Civil Engineering) student, fell from the terrace of the nine-storey Hostel No. 4. Students who were studying late at night and a security guard heard a loud sound and rushed to the spot, where they found him critically injured.

“When Naman jumped from the 9th floor, the hostel was mostly awake as many students sleep late. Students heard a loud thud and rushed toward the source of noise and were shocked by what they saw. Security was immediately alerted as students started gathering at the spot,” said another student.

He was first taken to the hospital inside the IIT campus, where a doctor declared him dead. He was later shifted to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors again declared him dead. His body has been sent for post-mortem.

The security guard informed the hostel authorities, following which the police were alerted. A team from Powai police station reached the campus and began inquiries.

Early on Wednesday morning, the IIT Bombay administration sent an email to all students, signed by Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare, informing them of the death. “The untimely death has shocked us to the core. It is very unfortunate that a promising career came to a premature end in such a manner. His death has saddened the entire community on IIT campus,” the email said, adding that Agarwal’s family had been informed and that the Powai police were investigating the matter. The institute subsequently cancelled a scheduled press conference for a faculty member recently selected for the Padma Shri award.

The police scanned CCTV footage from the area and found that Agarwal had exited Hostel No. 3, where he was residing, and walked to Hostel No. 4 shortly before the incident. “He was clearly seen in the footage entering Hostel No. 4. It is around 50 metres away. The time was around 1 am when he allegedly fell from the terrace. There were no other students on the terrace,” a senior officer said.

Police questioned several students, including classmates and those who helped take him to hospital. “His classmates said that he was undergoing counselling,” the officer said.

However, fellow students said Agarwal had appeared withdrawn in the days before the incident, though none said they expected such an outcome.

During a search of his room, police found a handwritten note in English. “While conducting a panchanama, a written note was found in his room with one of the statements like ‘This world is not for me’, but we are checking the context of the contents and it does not seem like a suicide note. Police will take an expert’s opinion,” the officer said.

According to police, there is no indication of foul play at this stage. “As per the preliminary inquiry, it does not seem to be any foul play. Five police teams were formed to inquire into the matter from all possible angles. Senior officers were present on the spot. After the Darshan Solanki case, the police cannot take another chance and are verifying every minute detail,” the officer added. “The forensic team has arrived and collected evidence from the scene.”

Outside the Rajawadi Hospital mortuary, where the body was kept, relatives described Agarwal as a hardworking and gifted student. “He was able to get admission to top most IIT Bombay, that is proof enough to know how hard working and bright he has been. It is impossible to believe that he was undergoing any kind of treatment for mental health,” said Pawan Kumar Goyal, a relative who was in Mumbai to attend a wedding in the extended family.

Agarwal was a native of Pilani village in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. His father runs a food-grain business and he has two sisters. “Both the girls are Chartered Accountants (CAs). All three siblings have been academically bright,” Goyal said, adding that the family hoped for a conclusive investigation.

When asked whether the family would file a complaint, he said, “We have already lost our son. We do not want to complain. But we want to know what led to his death.”

Police said Agarwal was staying in Hostel No. 3 and are trying to ascertain why he went to Hostel No. 4. His roommate and other students are being questioned. “It is too early to say anything. We are conducting inquiries from all possible angles and speaking to his classmates to gather leads,” a police officer said.

“If we find any material suggesting abetment or other factors, further legal action will be taken as per procedure,” a senior officer said.