A PhD student from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, located in Himachal Pradesh, was found deceased in his rented accommodation on September 6, 2026. The student, identified as Gurpreet Singh, reportedly took his own life following distress linked to the outcome of his comprehensive examination. His body was discovered by police after family members and his landlord raised concerns due to his unresponsiveness to phone calls and failure to open the door to his room.

Discovery of the Body

The situation escalated when Gurpreet Singh’s family and landlord grew increasingly worried about his well-being. After unsuccessful attempts to contact him, they alerted local authorities. Upon arrival, officers attempted to elicit a response from within the accommodation but were met with silence. Consequently, police forced entry by breaking the latch on the door, where they subsequently found Singh hanging inside.

Initial investigations indicated that the student was informed of his comprehensive examination results around 4.30 pm on the preceding day. Singh’s family reported that the examination result did not meet his expectations, resulting in distress. Reports suggest that he did not attend classes on the day his body was discovered.

Authorities have started collecting evidence from the scene. A team from the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) in Mandi was dispatched, where they gathered necessary materials and conducted a thorough examination of the premises. Police reported that no suicide note or any items of suspicion were found in the room.

Investigation Underway

The police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gurpreet Singh’s death. They recorded statements from individuals living in the neighbourhood to gather more information regarding the situation. As part of the investigation process, proceedings have been initiated under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Mandi Superintendent of Police, Vinod Kumar, stated that the official cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem examination is performed. The local police are exploring all dimensions of the case to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to the tragedy. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to address any concerns surrounding mental health issues among students in academic environments.

This incident has prompted discussions about the pressures faced by students in higher education, particularly in rigorous academic institutions. Responses from the IIT Mandi community and wider educational bodies are being monitored as they react to the incident and seek to understand the support systems available to students facing similar pressures.

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