Chandigarh, April 23 (IANS) The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance and initiated a detailed inquiry into multiple suicide incidents reported in the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Kurukshetra.

Citing a media report and preliminary information received by the commission, several incidents of suicides and suicide attempts have occurred within a short span, raising grave concerns regarding student safety, mental well-being and institutional accountability.

It has been reported that a first-year student attempted suicide by jumping from the fifth floor of a hostel building, but was rescued in time and hospitalized.

Earlier, on April 16, a second-year student was found dead in his hostel room, leading to protests by fellow students alleging a delayed response by the administration.

Additionally, two more student deaths were reported in February and March, followed by another incident on April 8, indicating a disturbing pattern of recurring cases.

The full commission, comprising Chairperson Justice (retd) Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, has expressed concern that despite successive incidents, the action taken by the institute appeared limited, including the transfer of two professors.

The latest suicide attempt on April 18 further indicated that the measures taken so far are neither adequate nor effective.

The commission has observed that the situation points towards possible deficiencies in mental health support systems, counselling services, monitoring mechanisms, and crisis intervention protocols within the institution.

Emphasizing the responsibility of educational institutions, the commission stated that their duty extends beyond academic instruction to ensuring students’ physical and mental well-being. The recurrence of such incidents, prima facie, reflects a failure to fulfill these obligations and raises concerns under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, dignity, and mental well-being.

The commission has also noted that the matter engages India’s international human rights commitments, particularly under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The commission has sought detailed reports from the NIT Kurukshetra Director and the Deputy Commissioner, who is directed to submit a status report, and listed the matter for the next hearing on May 19.

–IANS

vg/skp