Odisha, Odisha — A PhD scholar from Andhra Pradesh died after allegedly falling from the sixth-floor balcony of a boys’ hostel at IIT Bhubaneswar late on Saturday night.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar campus, located under Jatani police limits, is usually a safe and serene environment for its students and faculty. However, a tragic incident has occurred, sending shockwaves across the campus community.

The deceased has been identified as Tanikonda Nishanth Kumar, a native of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, who was pursuing his PhD in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar.

Late on Saturday night, around midnight, Nishanth, who was residing in ‘A’ Block of Brahmaputra Hall, was found unconscious on the ground below the sixth-floor balcony of the building. An on-duty security guard noticed the student lying unconscious and immediately shifted him to the medical facility on the IIT campus, where doctors provided him with emergency treatment.

Following medical advice, he was later transferred by ambulance to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar for advanced care. However, doctors at the private hospital declared him dead upon arrival.

Background

The institute administration subsequently informed the local police, who have started a probe into the circumstances surrounding the mysterious death. Police have also contacted Nishanth’s family members regarding this tragic development.

While the exact cause of the fall leading to the untimely death remains unclear, authorities are examining all possible angles as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Community Impact

The incident has sent shockwaves across the IIT campus community, with students and faculty members expressing grief over the suspicious death of the research scholar.

What Happens Next

The local police are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. The probe aims to determine the circumstances leading to Nishanth’s death and clarify whether it was an accident or something more sinister.

The death of Tanikonda Nishanth Kumar has raised concerns about the safety and security measures in place at IIT Bhubaneswar. As the investigation unfolds, the campus community remains in shock, and the authorities are working to provide support to the student’s family and fellow scholars.