The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the delay by IIT Kharagpur authorities in filing an FIR after the suicide of a student. On May 13, the Court directed an IIT Kharagpur officer and the Officer-in-Charge of the local police station to personally appear in the next hearing to explain the delay.
The bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan noted that despite the student’s death on May 4, 2025, the FIR was lodged only on May 8, 2025, and that too, after the Court intervened on May 6, 2025. Highlighting this, the Court stated:
"We are informed that the FIR was lodged after four days from the date of suicide. The student committed suicide on 4-5-2025 whereas the FIR was lodged on 8-5-2025 and that too only when this Court on 6-5-2025 enquired whether the FIR had been lodged or not."
The Court further questioned why the FIR was not registered immediately after the incident and demanded a clear explanation from the IIT management. It also directed the Officer-in-Charge of the local police station to appear in person to clarify the reasons for the delay.
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In another case, the Supreme Court sought a status report on a suicide case involving a NEET aspirant in Kota. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the coaching center, stated that the student was staying with her parents and was only attending classes for NEET preparation. However, the Court questioned the Kota Police for not filing an FIR in the case.
The Court also extended the deadline for the National Task Force (NTF), set up to address student mental health and suicide prevention, by eight weeks from July 24, 2025. The NTF, chaired by Justice SR Bhat, was initially directed to be formed with a fund of Rs. 20 Lakhs to handle its operations.
The matter will now be heard on May 23.
Counsel for Petitioners : Mr. Mehmood Pracha, Adv; Mr. R. H. A. Sikander, AOR; Mr. Jatin Bhatt, Adv.; Mr. Sanawar, Adv.; Mr. Kshitij Singh, Adv.; Ms. Nujhat Naseem, Adv.; Mr. Sikander, Adv; Chirag Verma Adv
Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Brijender Chahar, A.S.G.; Mr. Mukesh Kumar Maroria, AOR; Mr. Abhijit Pandove, Adv.; Mr. Amit Sharma Ii, Adv.; Mrs. Bani Dikshit, Adv.; Mr. Varun Chugh, Adv.; Mr. Gaurang Bhushan, Adv. ; Ms. Mrinal Gopal Elker, AOR; Ms. Chhavi Khandelwal, Adv.' Sr Adv Mukul Rohatgi
Case Details : AMIT KUMAR & ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.| Criminal Appeal No(s). 1425/2025
