Mon Mar 24 10:18:30 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Orders Probe into IIT Delhi Student Suicides, Forms National Task Force
**New Delhi** – The Supreme Court of India has ordered a police investigation into the deaths of two IIT Delhi students from the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) community, citing a disturbing pattern of student suicides in educational institutions. The court directed Delhi Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) and launch a thorough probe, assigning an officer of at least the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police to the case.
The order follows an appeal by the parents of Ayush Ashna and Anil Kumar, both BTech students who were found dead in their hostel rooms in July and September 2023, respectively. The parents alleged that the deaths were the result of murder, citing claims of caste-based discrimination within the institute.
The court emphasized the responsibility of educational institutions in ensuring student safety and well-being, stating that prompt reporting of such incidents to authorities is a legal and moral imperative. It criticized the delay in registering an FIR in this case.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the need for preventative measures, the Supreme Court established a National Task Force headed by former Supreme Court Justice S. Ravindra Bhat. This task force will address the mental health concerns of students and work to prevent suicides in higher educational institutions across the country. State and union territory governments have been directed to appoint nodal officers to cooperate fully with the task force.
The court’s decision highlights the growing concern over student mental health and the need for increased accountability within educational institutions and law enforcement agencies in addressing such tragedies. The investigation into the deaths of Ashna and Kumar is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding their deaths and potentially address allegations of caste discrimination.
First Piper 