The Supreme Court has raised alarms over the increasing number of student suicides across colleges, universities, and other higher educational institutions in India.
A bench consisting of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan noted the inadequacy of current mechanisms in addressing the issue, leading to the formation of a 10-member national task force.
Retired Justice Ravindra Bhatt will lead the task force, which aims to address the rising student suicide rates and ensure better preventive measures across educational institutions.
Rising Concerns About Student Suicides
The court highlighted several instances of student suicides across the country, stressing that these incidents are increasingly common, including in private educational institutions.
“The suicide rate among students has become alarmingly higher than that of farmers facing an agricultural crisis,” the court remarked.
Expressing its concern, the bench noted that despite numerous incidents, effective solutions have yet to be implemented, making this issue more pressing.
The court emphasized that while investigations into these cases fall under the jurisdiction of the police, the responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of students lies with the educational institutions themselves.
Formation Of Task Force To Investigate Key Factors
In its ruling, the Supreme Court directed the establishment of the national task force, which will focus on investigating the underlying causes of student suicides.
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The causes include ragging, caste-based and gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, academic pressure, financial stress, and issues related to religious beliefs.
The task force will prepare a comprehensive report to better understand the major contributors to student suicides.
This report will offer insights into how institutions can create a safer and more supportive environment for students.
Accountability And Immediate Action From Educational Institutions
The Supreme Court also issued strict guidelines to educational institutions regarding the handling of suicide cases on their campuses.
The court made it clear that it is the responsibility of the institution’s administration to ensure the safety of students and to act with urgency in the event of a suicide.
This includes the immediate registration of an FIR (First Information Report) with appropriate authorities without delay or refusal.
The court stressed that such actions are not just legally obligatory but also a moral imperative to ensure transparency and accountability.
Case Involving IIT Student’s Suicide Sparks Legal Action
The decision came in response to an appeal filed by the parents of two students who had tragically died by suicide.
The parents had challenged the Delhi High Court’s decision not to register an FIR in their case.
One of the cases involved Ayush Ashna, a B Tech student at IIT, who was found dead in his hostel room in July 2023.
Ashna had joined IIT in 2019, and his death sparked significant concern over the mental health and safety of students in top institutions.
A Step Towards A Safer Educational Environment
With the formation of the task force and the strengthened accountability measures, the Supreme Court has taken a significant step toward addressing the mental health crisis affecting students in India.
The outcome of this further initiative could lead to improved student welfare, better handling of suicides, and more proactive steps taken by educational institutions to safeguard their students’ well-being.
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