IIT Guwahati BTech Student Found Dead on Campus; Police Probe Circumstances of Fall
A third-year BTech student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati was found dead inside the institute’s academic complex on Sunday afternoon in an incident suspected to be a case of suicide. Police have launched an investigation, while the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination.
The incident took place at around 2.30 pm, when the student allegedly fell from the fifth floor of the institute’s academic building.
The deceased has been identified as Ritesh Raj Singh, a third-year BTech student from the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department and a resident of Brahmaputra Hostel.
According to sources, Singh was considered an outstanding student with an impressive academic record and had recently secured an internship with global investment banking firm Goldman Sachs.
In an email to the institute community, IIT Guwahati Director Prof. Devendra Jalihal expressed deep sorrow over the student’s demise and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
Calling it a profound loss for the institute, the Director said IIT Guwahati is in constant touch with the student’s family and is extending all possible assistance during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, Kamrup Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Officials said the circumstances leading to the student’s death are yet to be established, and all possible angles are being examined.
If the incident is confirmed to be a suicide, it would be the first suspected student suicide reported at IIT Guwahati in 2026. The institute had recorded four student suicides in 2024, prompting concerns over student mental health, academic stress and the need for enhanced counselling and support systems on campus.
