Supreme Court summons IIT and police officers over delay in FIR after student’s suicide at IIT Kharagpur.
Case in News
Supreme Court questions IIT for delay in FIR after student suicide and stresses on Student Suicides accountability .
Case Overview
Case Name : Amit Kumar & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors. | Criminal Appeal No(s). 1425/2025
Taking serious note of rising Student Suicides the Supreme Court of India on 13th May 2025 pulled up IIT Kharagpur and the local police for a 4-day delay in filing an FIR after the death of a 22-year-old student . A Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan directed the personal appearance of an IIT official and the Officer-in-Charge of the police station to explain the lapse . The Court is hearing a broader matter related to student mental health and institutional responsibility in which it has already ordered the formation of a National Task Force (NTF) headed by Justice S.R. Bhat .
Key Aspects
This case highlights institutional apathy in dealing with student suicides . Notable facts include :
- A 22-year-old IIT Kharagpur student died by suicide on 4th May 2025 in his hostel room .
- FIR was filed only on 8th May 2025 after the Court’s query on May 6 .
- Court also reviewed a separate NEET aspirant’s suicide in Kota, Rajasthan .
- Institutions failed to act promptly despite clear guidelines on handling such incidents .
Legal Insights
The Supreme Court relied on key legal provisions to emphasize accountability :
- Article 21 of the Constitution – Ensures the right to life including mental well-being .
- Section 154 of the CrPC – Mandates prompt registration of FIRs on receiving information about a cognizable offence including suicide.
- Section 174 of the CrPC – Requires police to investigate deaths under suspicious or unnatural circumstances including suicides .
- Institutional delay violates legal duty and Court-mandated protocols under public law jurisprudence .
- Direction to establish a National Task Force (NTF) with Rs. 20 lakh sanctioned under Court orders for suicide prevention and mental health support in higher educational institutions .
Court’s Verdict
The Supreme Court ordered both IIT Kharagpur and local police officials to appear before it on 23rd May 2025 to explain the delay . It reiterated that institutions have a legal and moral obligation to act swiftly in student suicide cases and extended time for the NTF to submit its interim report by 8 weeks from July 24 2025.
Source – Supreme Court of India
Read also– Article 21 of Indian Constitution
