'Why Are They Dying Only in Kota"': SC Grills Rajasthan Over Surge in Student Suicides
A bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan asked counsel representing Rajasthan government: "What are you doing as a state? Why are these children dying by suicide and only in Kota? Have you not given a thought as a state?"
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday grilled the Rajasthan government over 14 student suicides in Kota so far this year and dubbed the situation "serious".
A bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan asked counsel representing Rajasthan government: "What are you doing as a state? Why are these children dying by suicide and only in Kota? Have you not given a thought as a state?"
Counsel said a special investigation team (SIT) was formed in the state to examine cases of suicides.
On not filing an FIR in a student suicide case in Kota, the bench said: "You are in contempt of our judgment. Why have you not registered the FIR?" the bench asked Rajasthan's counsel.
Noting that the student was not residing in the accommodations provided by her institute, which she left in November 2024 and started living with her parents, the top court said: "In line with our decision, it was the duty of the police concerned to register the FIR and carry out the investigation. The officer in-charge of the concerned territorial police station has failed in his duty. He has not complied with the directions issued by this court."
The bench summoned the police officer concerned in the Kota case on July 14 to explain the situation. State's counsel said the investigation in the case was ongoing and the SIT was aware of suicide cases in the state.
"How many young students have died so far in Kota?" the bench asked counsel. After counsel said 14, the bench retorted, "Why are these students dying?"
The task force constituted by the apex court would take its time before giving a composite report to the court, it said. The top court was hearing a case of a girl, a NEET aspirant, who was found dead in her room in Kota where she lived with her parents.
It was also dealing with another over the death of a 22-year-old student studying in IIT, Kharagpur, found dead in his hostel room on May 4.
The bench noted that an FIR was lodged in connection with the death of IIT Kharagpur's student but questioned the four-day delay in the FIR which was registered on May 8. "Don't take these things lightly. These are very serious things," the bench said.
The bench referred to a March 24 verdict of the top court which took note of recurring cases of student suicides in higher educational institutions and formed a national task force to address the mental health concerns of students and prevent such incidents.
On Friday, the bench said a prompt filing of the FIR was necessary in such cases in line with the verdict.
"Why did you take four days to lodge an FIR?" the bench asked a police officer concerned, present in court. The officer said the FIR was lodged and the investigation in the case was underway.
"You continue with the investigation in accordance with law," the bench told him.
It came on record that the IIT Kharagpur authorities alerted the police soon after they learnt about the suicide.
The bench was not convinced with the explanation of the IIT Kharagpur counsel and the police officer. "We could have taken a very strict view of the matter. We could have even proceeded for contempt against the police officer in-charge concerned of the jurisdictional police station," it said.
