The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Rajasthan government over the alarming rise in student suicides in Kota, calling the situation “serious” and expressing grave concern over the inaction of the authorities.
A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, while hearing related cases, remarked, “Why are these children dying by suicide and only in Kota? Have you not given a thought as a state?” The court was informed that 14 student suicides have already been reported in Kota this year.
The observations came during the hearing of two student suicide cases—one involving a 22-year-old IIT Kharagpur student who was found hanging in his hostel room on May 4, and another concerning a NEET aspirant who died by suicide at her residence in Kota, where she lived with her parents.
The bench questioned the four-day delay in registering an FIR in the IIT student’s case, which was eventually filed on May 8. “Why did you take four days to lodge an FIR?” Justice Pardiwala asked a police officer present in court, warning that such delays could attract contempt proceedings. “Don’t take these things lightly. These are very serious matters,” the bench said.
The officer responded that the FIR had been registered and that the investigation was in progress. However, the court noted it was not satisfied with the explanations provided by the police or by the counsel for IIT Kharagpur, stating that it could have taken a stricter view.
In the NEET aspirant’s case, the bench expressed disapproval over the failure to file an FIR and rebuked the Rajasthan government’s counsel. “You are in contempt of our judgment. Why have you not registered the FIR?” the bench asked, pointing out that despite the student leaving her coaching institute accommodation in November 2024 to live with her parents, it was still the police’s responsibility to act.
The Supreme Court also cited its March 24 judgment, in which it had constituted a national task force to address mental health issues and prevent suicides in educational institutions. The court stressed that registering an FIR and prompt investigation are essential parts of the process laid down in that decision.
While noting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Rajasthan government, the bench emphasized that the SIT’s ongoing investigation did not absolve the authorities from their failure to act immediately in individual cases.
The court has now summoned the police officer responsible for the Kota jurisdiction to appear on July 14 and explain the reasons for not registering the FIR in the NEET aspirant’s case. The bench directed that the investigation in both cases should be carried out swiftly and in the right direction.
The hearing underscores growing judicial scrutiny of systemic lapses in handling student welfare, especially in coaching hubs like Kota, which see thousands of aspirants preparing for competitive exams annually.
