Ayush Ashna was found dead on 08.07.2023 in his Hostel Room in Udaigiri Hostel, IIT, New Delhi. Anil Kumar was found dead on 01.09.2023 in his Hostel Room No. in Vindhyanchal Hostel, IIT Delhi. Police closed the matter saying, Ayush and Anil were unable to cope with pressure of their respective studies and in such circumstances both committed suicide.

Such conclusion may as well be correct. However, we say, such a conclusion could have been arrived at only after following due process of law, i.e., registration of F.I.R. and investigation. Over a period of time, Court has emphasized necessity of ensuring prompt registration of F.I.R. to uphold rule of law and prevent any undue delay in commencement of criminal investigation. We direct DCP (South-West District, New Delhi) to register First Information Report.

In light of the concerns expressed, a National Task Force, to address mental health concerns of students and prevent commission of suicides in Higher Educational Institutions, is to be constituted.

– Hon’ble Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Hon’ble Justice R. Mahadevan, Amit Kumar v. Union of India, [Criminal Appeal No. 1425 of 2025].

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau in ‘Émile, ou De l’éducation’ emphasised, education must be adapted to developmental needs of the child and should cultivate reason, autonomy and emotional well-being. He warned against an educational system that neglects individuality of the learner in pursuit of rigid societal expectations.

The very soul of education appears to have been distorted. Increasingly, education is perceived as a high-stakes race, a pressure-laden path toward narrowly defined goals of achievement, status and economic security. The joy of learning has been replaced by anxiety over rankings, results and relentless performance metrics.

Amit Kumar v. Union of India, 2025 SCC OnLine SC 631 directed constitution of a National Task Force on Mental Health Concerns of Students and Prevention of Suicides in Higher Educational Institutions under Chairpersonship of Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Shri Ravindra Bhat. We have been informed, Task Force is in process of gathering inputs to formulate a robust and comprehensive framework. While a Final Report is awaited, immediacy of the crisis demands immediate institutional safeguards to prevent further loss of life and to establish accountability criterion. Court is not only empowered but constitutionally obligated to step in.

– Hon’ble Justice Sandeep Sharma, Sukdeb Saha v. State of Andhra Pradesh, [Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 6378 of 2024] decided on 25.07.2025.