An 18-year-old first-year BTech Computer Science student, Rahul Yadav, was found dead in his hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Sunday night. Police confirmed the discovery of the body, which was found hanging. This marks the third student death by suicide at the institution in less than a year.
Yadav, originally from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, was a student in the Computer Science program. His mother has since lodged a formal police complaint, accusing his girlfriend’s family of harassment that she believes led to his death.
Investigation Underway
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sonal Singh Parmar reported that the incident occurred around 10:45 PM on Sunday . Personnel from Infocity Police Station recovered Yadav’s body. An autopsy was conducted at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar in the presence of a magistrate and the deceased student’s family members.
Police stated that preliminary inquiries suggest complications in Yadav’s relationship with a girl of the same age, based in Chhattisgarh. These relationship issues may have led to differences between them. The Infocity Police Station is currently in the process of registering a case based on the mother’s complaint.
The mother’s complaint specifically names the girl’s father, mother, and brother, alleging their involvement in harassing her son. Following the autopsy, Rahul Yadav’s body was released to his family. Investigators have seized the student’s mobile phone and laptop as part of the ongoing probe. The hostel room where the incident occurred has been sealed. Adequate police personnel have been deployed near the KIIT campus to maintain order.
KIIT University Responds
KIIT University issued a statement describing the incident as “sad and unfortunate.” The institution suggested the student’s death by suicide was a “love-related incident” stemming from “personal reasons.” KIIT confirmed that the student’s mother had previously informed them about her son’s relationship.
The university’s statement further noted that Rahul’s mother explicitly stated that the girl’s father and family had threatened and intimidated her son. This intimidation, she alleged, led to his death by suicide. KIIT concluded its statement by expressing concern over the “increasing rate” of student suicides across various educational institutions, both within Odisha and nationwide.
Previous Incidents at KIIT
This incident is the third death by suicide at KIIT within a year. Previously, two female Nepalese students were found hanging in their hostel rooms. These earlier incidents occurred on February 16 and May 1 of the same year. This pattern has raised significant concern among students, faculty, and local officials.
Mother Criticizes Hostel Facilities, Political Reaction
Rahul Yadav’s mother also voiced criticism regarding the safety measures within KIIT hostel rooms. She specifically questioned the presence of ceiling fans, which she believes pose a risk. She highlighted that many hostels in Kota, Rajasthan—a major educational hub—do not have such overhead fan installations.
Locally, BJP MLA Saroj Padhi publicly expressed serious concern about the repeated student deaths at KIIT. Padhi announced plans to demand stringent action from the Chief Minister against those deemed responsible for these tragic incidents at the university.
Seeking Help and Support
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or tendencies, help is available. Please reach out to support services. You can contact AASRA at 9820466726 or visitaasra.info. Another resource is iCALL , reachable at 9152987821 . Additional suicide prevention helplines and resources are available online.