1st Year IIITA Deaf Student Dies By Suicide
Two students at IIIT-Allahabad died on the same night due to suicide and medical negligence, sparking student protests and calls for better support systems.
Two students from the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Allahabad died on the same night, raising serious questions about the mental health support and medical facilities on campus.
One of the students, Rahul Madala Chaitanya, a 21-year-old Deaf student from Nizamabad, Telangana, died by suicide after jumping from the 5th floor of his hostel late at night. He was in his first year and was reportedly upset after failing an exam. Rahul had also not attended classes for 6 months, but his family was never informed. His mother shared that he had messaged her just before the incident, asking her to take care of the family.
On the same day, another student, Akhil Katravath, a 20-year-old B.Tech student from Rangareddy, Telangana, died due to medical negligence. He had returned after participating in a sports competition and complained of severe body pain. However, the college health centre and hospital did not provide proper care in time. His condition worsened, and he passed away in the ICU after being ignored by doctors.
Following both deaths, students at IIIT-Allahabad protested on campus, demanding better support and ?1 crore compensation for each family. The institute later agreed to give ?25 lakh to each family and announced new steps to support students, especially those with disabilities.
A committee was formed to investigate the incidents. The college also promised new facilities like a counselling team, transport support for differently-abled students, and a compensation policy for emergencies. A group counselling session was also held to listen to the problems faced by students with disabilities.
There are currently 77 PwD students at the institute, and the management has said their issues will be handled with priority.
