IIT Bhubaneswar student dies after ‘falling’ from hostel’s 6th floor

Bhubaneswar: A PhD scholar of IIT Bhubaneswar died after allegedly falling from the sixth floor of his hostel building on the campus on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Tanikonda Nishant Kumar (32), a native of Andhra Pradesh. Kumar was pursuing his research in the department of electrical engineering. While police are investigating the incident, his parents reached the institution on Sunday.

Stakin Biswal, IIC of Jatni police station said investigation is underway, “but preliminary inquiry does not point to any foul play”. Family members of the scholar refused to comment.

IIT Bhubaneswar authorities said around 3.30 pm on Saturday, Kumar was found lying unconscious on the ground below the sixth-floor balcony of his room in A block of Brahmaputra Hall hostel.

An on-duty security guard saw the student and informed the authorities, who shifted him to the campus medical facility where he was provided emergency medical attention. Following the advice of the attending physician, Kumar was later taken to a private hospital for advanced treatment.

Upon arrival, the medical team at the hospital declared the student dead. “The institute brought this to the notice of police, who are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the institution said in a statement.