In the evening of February 15, a second-year MTech student at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi was found dead in the dormitory of Dronagiri. According to the student’s LinkedIn profile, he was expected to graduate in 2022 with a degree in polymer science and technology.
In an email sent to students, the dean of student affairs informed them: “With a very heavy heart, we regret to inform you of the tragic and untimely passing of Varad Sanjay Nerkar (2022MSP2521), a resident of the Dronagiri hostel.”
The email added that the student was “found hanging in his room, which was locked from inside”. Police officials have taken the student’s body into custody.
In the mail, it is stated that the student is from Nashik, Maharashtra. “His family is expected to arrive from Nashik today (February 16),” it stated.
A strong academic record and a successful career
Students told Careers360 that the student spoke to his parents around evening and lastly with a friend before meeting his guide. According to another IIT Delhi student who knew him, Nerkar’s grade was a respectable 8.8 and he had even secured a job with a major information technology company through the IIT Delhi placements.
Earlier this year, three student deaths have been reported at IIT Delhi, including two from Dalit communities. Last month, two suicides were reported at IIT Kanpur due to academic pressure.
On February 13, IIT Roorkee reported the suicide of a student.
Whenever you become aware of someone at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. If you or your loved ones are in distress or have suicidal thoughts or tendencies, please contact AASRA by calling 9820466726, visiting AASRA’s official website, or by calling iCALL at 9152987821. Listed below are some additional suicide prevention organizations that provide emotional support to individuals and families through their helplines.
