New Delhi: A day after a probe panel was constituted to look into the death by suicide of a student at IIT Delhi, the panel’s chief recused himself, citing prior commitments. Former Uttarakhand Director General of Poli…

New Delhi: A day after a probe panel was constituted to look into the death by suicide of a student at IIT Delhi, the panel’s chief recused himself, citing prior commitments. Former Uttarakhand Director General of Police and IIT Delhi alumnus Ashok Kumar said he could not be part of the panel even as protests continued at the premier institute.The institute will now look for a new chairperson to head the panel.On Tuesday, in view of the intensifying protests, IIT Delhi announced a five-member panel comprising Pratap Sharma, head of the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS, New Delhi; two student representatives; IIT Delhi registrar, who will be the panel’s secretary and convenor; and Kumar.IIT Delhi student’s death | Police file abetment to suicide case against unidentified persons IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee had said that the institute would also appoint an external ombudsperson to look into students’ issues and grievances, in addition to formulating a support system of faculty and student mentors to address mental health issues among students.Protests broke out at the institute following the death by suicide of 31-year-old Rishikesh Kumar, an MSc Physics student. Students said he had been struggling with hostel issues as well as problems with his dissertation.Classes have been disrupted since Monday, with protesters demanding an independent probe, compensation of Rs 1 crore and action against authorities.On Tuesday, Banerjee announced that the institute would provide financial assistance to the deceased’s family. “We will work towards providing financial support for Rishikesh’s family, with medical expenses as well as additional funds. We will also be creating a separate fund with voluntary contributions from faculty, students and staff to help the family,” he had said.

Source: Deccan Herald