The Supreme Court on Friday, May 23, 2025, sharply criticised the Rajasthan government for its failure to address the alarming rise in student suicides in Kota, the nation’s leading coaching hub.
The Bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, described the situation as “serious” and expressed alarm that 14 students had already died by suicide in the city this year.
“What are you doing as a State? Why are these children dying by suicide and only in Kota? Have you not given it a thought as a State?” Justice Pardiwala asked during the hearing, reflecting the court’s deep concern about the systemic pressures students face in Kota’s highly competitive academic environment.
The Rajasthan government’s counsel responded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted to investigate these cases. However, the court appeared unsatisfied with this explanation, pointing to failures in basic investigative duties, including delayed or absent FIRs.
The hearing addressed two specific incidents: the suicide of a 22-year-old IIT Kharagpur student found hanging in his hostel room on May 4, and the death of a NEET aspirant in Kota, who had been living with her parents after leaving institute housing in November 2024.
The court questioned the four-day delay in filing an FIR in the IIT case, which was registered only on May 8.
When asked, the police officer present in court confirmed the FIR had been filed and that the investigation was underway. The Bench responded, “Don’t take these things lightly. These are very serious things,” and instructed the officer to proceed with the investigation “in accordance with law.”
The justices noted that IIT Kharagpur officials had notified police after learning of the suicide, but expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by both the institute’s legal representative and the police.
“We could have taken a very strict view of the matter. We could have even proceeded for contempt against the police officer in charge of the jurisdictional police station,” the court warned, though it chose not to take further action given the ongoing investigation.
Regarding the Kota case, the court condemned the failure to register an FIR.
The Bench cited its own March 24 ruling that called for urgent attention to recurring student suicides in higher education institutions and led to the formation of a national task force to address student mental health challenges.
Despite the NEET aspirant no longer residing in coaching accommodation, the court emphasised that the local police had a duty to act.
“It was the duty of the police concerned to register the FIR and carry out the investigation. The officer in charge has failed in his duty. He has not complied with the directions issued by this court,” the Bench said.
As a result, the Supreme Court has summoned the officer responsible to appear before it on July 14 to explain the lapses.
