A 20-year-old second-year Materials Science student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay allegedly died by suicide inside his hostel room at the institute’s Powai campus.
The deceased has been identified as Sohil Rajkumar Sangwan, a resident of Hostel No. 4, originally hailing from Pilani, Rajasthan.
Key Details of the Investigation
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Incident Discovery: The incident came to light late Tuesday night after Sohil’s parents were unable to reach him via phone and alerted campus authorities. Hostel security accompanied by a fellow student opened the room and found him hanging from a ceiling fan.
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Preliminary Findings: The Powai Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
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Potential Triggers Under Scanner: Initial police investigations and digital evidence—including mobile phone chats and handwritten notes containing romantic poetry—suggest the student was experiencing family-related issues and navigating a difficult phase in a personal relationship.
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Forensic Examination: Authorities have seized his mobile phone, laptop, and electronic devices to analyze call detail records (CDR) and messaging history to confirm the exact timeline and factors leading to the death.
Institute Response & Campus Safety
In an official communication sent to students and faculty, IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare expressed deep grief over the loss. He noted that while the institute has been proactively expanding wellness support programs, student workshops, and alumni-faculty interactions, the tragic event underscores the need to further strengthen mental health outreach systems across the campus.
“The institute is cooperating fully with the police, who are investigating the matter, and we are awaiting their findings before sharing further details.” — Official Statement, IIT Bombay
The tragedy follows another recent incident on July 26, where a third-year BTech student from IIT Guwahati, identified as Ritesh Raj Singh (native of Puri, Odisha), was found dead on campus after an alleged fall from a hostel building, highlighting ongoing concerns surrounding student well-being across premier technical institutions in India.
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, experiencing distress, or struggling with mental health issues, please reach out for support. You can call tele-MANAS at 14416 or 1800-891-4416 for free, confidential, 24/7 support in India.
