NEW DELHI: The mother of Rishikesh Kumar, the 31-year-old MSc Physics student at IIT Delhi who died by suicide on the institute's campus, has recalled an emotional conversation with him a day before his death, saying he had spoken about intense emotional pain and suicidal thoughts despite being afraid of taking such a step.
Rishikesh, who had reportedly been undergoing treatment for mental health concerns, died by suicide on August 22. He was rushed to the hospital on the IIT campus, where doctors declared him brought dead. Police said no suicide note was recovered from the spot. A mobile phone found in his pocket was seized and is being examined as part of the investigation.
According to his mother, Asha Poddar, Rishikesh had broken down during a conversation with her on the night before his death.
"He cried a lot and told me, 'Mummy, I am hurting a lot. I am even afraid of suicide; I would not be able to bring myself to do that either. I am useless and good for nothing. Despite having talent, I am unable to achieve anything in this world'," she said in a telephonic interview with NDTV.
Recalling her son's words, she said he felt that despite his abilities and academic potential, repeated obstacles had disrupted his education and prevented him from achieving his goals.
"He would say that he had enough talent to clear any competitive examination, but something or the other would always go wrong. One problem after another kept arising, forcing his studies to come to a halt. He kept asking, 'What am I supposed to do now?'" she said.
She said Rishikesh sometimes wondered whether some unexplained misfortune was preventing him from progressing in life, even though he believed he possessed considerable academic ability.
Asha Poddar also recalled the difficult circumstances her son had faced over the years. According to her, Rishikesh had enrolled at NIT Rourkela but was forced to discontinue his studies in 2014 following the death of his father. He later completed his graduation in Physics from Magadh University between 2022 and 2025.
His mother said the family later faced another difficult phase after Rishikesh developed mental health concerns while studying at IIT Delhi. She had moved with him to an off-campus accommodation after he was advised to remain under continuous parental supervision.
Asked about her demands from IIT Delhi following her son's death, the grieving mother said she had not yet been able to think about the matter.
"I have not really thought about anything. Whatever the students ask for, or whatever his friends decide, is acceptable to me. I have left it entirely to them. I am in mourning and have no demands of my own," she said.
She added that Rishikesh's friends were devastated by the loss of their companion.
"He was very selfless and open with everyone. Such a wonderful young man has been taken away from us," she said.
Describing her son's interests beyond academics, Asha Poddar said he was a talented singer and also loved writing poetry. He participated in kavi sammelans and had a creative side that was known to those close to him.
Rishikesh's brother, Abhishek Kumar, said his brother had directly told their mother that he was experiencing suicidal thoughts. The family had also sought medical help after becoming concerned about his condition.
"He was telling Mummy that he was having suicidal thoughts. We even spoke to a doctor about it. He kept saying that his life was meaningless and that he did not want to live anymore," Abhishek said.
According to him, Rishikesh had also complained of severe headaches and difficulty thinking clearly. He repeatedly told the family that he wanted to leave Delhi and return home to Patna.
"He kept saying, 'Mummy, let us go to Patna quickly. Let us go home.' We spoke to him at length that night and tried to convince him not to do anything drastic. We asked him to sleep and urged him to speak to a doctor. He had convinced himself that he was suffering from migraines," Abhishek said.
The family also alleged that Rishikesh had been deeply distressed over issues relating to his accommodation and academic life at the institute. According to his brother, Rishikesh was unhappy about not being allotted a hostel room and found it difficult to study while living off campus.
Students at IIT Delhi have been protesting since Monday, raising concerns over what they describe as systemic problems affecting student welfare. The protesters have claimed that eight students have died by suicide at the institute over the past 30 months.
Amid the protests, IIT Delhi on Tuesday announced the constitution of a five-member external inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Rishikesh's death. The institute said student welfare and mental well-being remained among its highest priorities.
In a statement, IIT Delhi said Rishikesh had joined the institute in July 2025 and was initially staying in a hostel on campus. The institute described him as an academically bright student.
According to IIT Delhi, concerns about his well-being were raised by fellow students a few days after the Holi festivities earlier this year. He was immediately taken to the IIT Delhi Hospital in an institute ambulance and was assessed and supported by the institute's psychiatrist.
The statement said the family subsequently expressed their preference to take him to a specialised hospital for further treatment.
Rishikesh then underwent around a month of inpatient treatment at the specialised hospital before being discharged. Later, he sought withdrawal from the second semester, covering the January-May 2026 period, and the request was approved by IIT Delhi.
The institute further said that his health records were reviewed in July and medical advice was given that he should continue to remain under parental supervision. It added that he received counselling and treatment support from the institute's counsellor and doctors in both July and August.
His request to withdraw from the third semester, covering July-November 2026, was also approved, according to the institute.
However, Abhishek alleged that his brother had become increasingly distressed because he felt his medical clearance and efforts to resume his academic life were not being adequately recognised by the institution.
According to him, getting into IIT had been Rishikesh's biggest dream, and he had worked passionately towards achieving it.
"Getting into IIT was his only dream. It was his craze. But when that dream was finally realised, and he felt repeatedly humiliated by the college, the dream began to shatter. He was already struggling, and the college only added to his distress," Abhishek alleged.
He said Rishikesh had performed well during his first semester and secured an 8 CGPA out of 10. The difficulties, according to the family, became more pronounced during the second semester.
Abhishek said his brother suffered a setback and was admitted for treatment. After recovering, he received medical clearance to resume his studies, he claimed.
"He recovered within two months and rejoined college after the doctor issued an NOC. Even though the doctor certified that he was fit and could attend classes and stay in the hostel, with regular check-ups continuing, the college insisted that its own team would decide whether he could study there," he said.
The family objected to what they described as repeated assessments by the institute after Rishikesh had already received treatment from external specialists.
"If the hospital says that the student is fine and capable of studying, why insist on another examination? Why refer the case elsewhere? What objection did the college have?" Abhishek asked.
He also questioned the decision relating to his brother's hostel accommodation and alleged that Rishikesh was not allowed to stay on campus despite wanting to do so.
Asked whether Rishikesh had previously attempted to harm himself, Abhishek referred to two incidents that his brother had allegedly disclosed to their mother after returning to college.
"He told our mother that he had tried twice and had gone up to the ninth floor of the college building. He was deeply hurt by not getting a hostel room and felt that he could not study properly while living outside," he said.
According to Abhishek, Rishikesh felt the decision was unfair because he had performed well academically during his first semester and had received medical clearance to continue his studies.
The family has also alleged a lack of cooperation regarding an academic research project. Abhishek claimed that while other students were paired for projects, his brother was left to work alone.
"He wanted to pursue a research project, but everyone else was paired up while he was left alone. He felt he received no cooperation there either," Abhishek said.
The family said they had approached the institute's administration regarding the accommodation issue. According to Rishikesh's brother, their mother had repeatedly appealed to the authorities to allow him to stay in the hostel.
"Our mother pleaded with them and begged them to let him stay there. He was adamant about living in the hostel and felt suffocated living outside the campus," he alleged.
Abhishek said Rishikesh had been staying with his mother in a small room near the institute and was troubled by the high rent. He also allegedly felt guilty about the inconvenience and financial burden being placed on his mother.
"He felt that his mother was being troubled because of him. All these circumstances made him more depressed, and he felt that he was simply suffering," Abhishek said.
He further alleged that the family did not receive adequate support from the institute.
"There was no help from the college. Is this what they call counselling? Instead of supporting the student, they were harassing him and asking for NOCs from different places," he alleged.
The allegations made by the family come as IIT Delhi has ordered an external inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the student's death. The committee is expected to examine the sequence of events and issues connected with the case.
The death has also renewed concerns about mental health support and student welfare at premier educational institutions, with students demanding greater accountability and stronger support systems on campuses.
Police are continuing their investigation into the case, including an examination of the mobile phone recovered from Rishikesh. The institute's external committee will separately look into the circumstances leading up to his death.
His mother, who says she has left the question of demands and accountability to her son's friends and fellow students, remembers him not only as an IIT aspirant but also as a young man who sang, wrote poetry and shared his creativity with others.
--IANS
