Education Ministry sets up panel to probe IIIT Ranchi student's death

New Delhi: The Ministry of Education has set up a three-member committee to examine the death of a first-year student at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Ranchi, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The committee is headed by Professor Rajni Abbi, Director of the South Campus of the University of Delhi. It also includes a senior psychiatrist and a senior officer of the ministry.

The panel has been asked to examine the circumstances of the incident and assess the availability of basic facilities on campus. It will also review counselling, mentoring and student grievance redressal arrangements.

The committee will identify systemic gaps and recommend measures to strengthen student well-being and prevent a recurrence, the ministry said. It will interact with stakeholders and examine records.

The ministry said it was also making interim administrative arrangements to ensure the institute functions smoothly.

A first-year BTech student was found dead in his hostel room at IIIT Ranchi over the weekend. Students protested in the days after, alleging delay in medical aid and seeking the director's resignation.

The National Human Rights Commission has separately ordered a probe into the allegations of administrative negligence.