IIT Kanpur Mourns Tragic Death of PhD Student, Investigation Underway

This marks the fourth case of suicide at IIT Kanpur in the past year, raising concerns about student well-being and mental health on campus.

IIT Kanpur has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic and untimely demise of Pragati Kharya, a 28-year-old PhD student from the Department of Earth Sciences. Kharya was found dead in her hostel room on Thursday, with the incident reported to authorities by her hostel mates.

In an official statement, IIT Kanpur said, “With profound grief, IIT Kanpur mourns the tragic and untimely demise of Ms. Pragati Kharya, a PhD student in the Department of Earth Sciences, earlier today. Ms. Kharya joined the PhD program in December 2021. A police forensic team has visited the campus to investigate the circumstances of the death. The Institute is awaiting the results of the police investigation to determine the cause. With Ms. Pragati Kharya’s passing, the institute has lost a promising young researcher. The institute extends its deepest condolences and prays for strength and comfort to her family and friends in this time of great loss.”

Kharya’s body was discovered in hall number 4 of the hostel, and initial reports suggest that she allegedly took her own life. Her body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, and her family members have arrived at the campus.

This marks the fourth case of suicide at IIT Kanpur in the past year, raising concerns about student well-being and mental health on campus. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the results of the police forensic team's investigation still awaited.

Kharya, a native of Sanigawan, Kanpur, had been pursuing her PhD since December 2021. The news has sent shockwaves through the IIT-K community, with students and faculty expressing their condolences and sorrow over the loss of a talented and promising researcher.