New Delhi: The Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the suicide of Gautam Kumar, a 25-year-old MBA student from Vaishali, Bihar, following his expulsion from the university hostel. The move comes as student protests enter their second day, with demonstrators demanding accountability from the administration.
Kumar allegedly took his own life by jumping from the seventh floor of his hostel on Sunday. He was enrolled at the university’s main campus in Dwarka Sector-16, Southwest Delhi.
In response, the university has removed the hostel warden and set up a committee to arrange ex gratia compensation for Kumar’s family from the student welfare fund, a university official confirmed.
Protesting students staged a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor’s office with signs reading “Justice for Gautam,” demanding the removal of the hostel warden who expelled Kumar and five others on September 14 for allegedly consuming alcohol and narcotics.
The expelled students insist they were wrongfully barred from the hostel, leading to significant distress for Kumar and ultimately his death.
Acting vice-chancellor A.K. Saini confirmed that a professor from the University School of Law and Legal Studies (USL&LS), who was serving as the hostel warden, has been removed from his duties. A fact-finding committee has been formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The university has relieved the professor of his responsibilities as the warden, effective immediately, and a fact-finding committee has been established to examine the unfortunate death of Gautam Kumar,” the statement read.
Vinay Shah, an assistant professor from the University School of Chemical Technology (USCT), has been appointed as the interim warden for the hostel.
A WhatsApp message allegedly sent by Kumar to his parents before his death has surfaced on social media, where he reportedly blames the warden for pushing him to take his life. Police are currently verifying the authenticity of the message.
A senior police official stated that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered as they have not yet received a formal complaint from the family. The police handed over the body to the family and will take further action based on the findings of the university’s internal inquiry.
“Our current priority is maintaining law and order on campus while the investigation proceeds,” the officer added.
Classes at the university remain suspended as student protests continue to demand action.
