Forced into engg, depressed IIT student attempts suicide

Depressed over not pursuing a course of his liking, a first-year student of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) attempted suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of his hostel on Wednesday morning.

The 19-year-old student, Nitish Kumar Purti, was rushed to AIIMS Trauma centre following his fall and sustained multiple fractures to his legs. His friends have reportedly told police that he had been depressed for quite some time and was reluctant to pursue his course.

Nitish, an Engineering Physics student, had taken admission in the prestigious institution a year ago. He had shifted from his residence in Ranchi last year. His parents have been informed about the incident and left for Delhi to meet their son.

The incident took place on Wednesday around 4 am. Nitish was reportedly with his roommate Abhinandan at Vidhyanchal Hostel. Abhinandan told police that Nitish seemed normal during the time of the incident and later Nitish asked him to call the security guard posted outside the hostel for some help.

"Abhinandan had left the room and tried to look for the guard. In the meantime, Nitish allegedly jumped from the fourth floor balcony of his hostel and was found bleeding profusely. Abhinandan was alerted by the sound of the fall and found Nitish in a pool of blood," said a senior police official privy to the investigation.

Shocked by the incident, Abhinandan cried for help after which the hostel students gathered around Nitish's body and helped to get him to AIIMS Trauma Centre. Authorities at IIT-D were informed about the incident as well and later police was called to the Trauma Centre.

"We were informed about the incident around 4.50 am. They had told us about his fall and when the police team reached his hostel and investigated no suicide note was found. His friend's have told us that he was depressed and under pressure as he did not want to become an engineer. We are also probing whether Nitish was taking anti-depressants, but so far we have not found any prescription medicines," the police official added.

During the time writing of this report, no case had been registered by the police. "We are taking the statements of his teachers and friends. He had suffered multiple fractures but is stable now. His statement has to also be recorded," said Additional Commissioner of Police (South), Chinmoy Biswal.