Sorry Everyone: BTech student found dead inside hostel room at IIT Kanpur; third such case in 2025

PTC Web Desk: A final-year BTech student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was found dead inside his hostel room on Monday morning, leaving the campus in shock during the winter break.

The student has been identified as Jai Singh Meena (26), a fourth-year undergraduate from the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering. A resident of Ajmer, Rajasthan, Meena was staying in E Block, Room No. 148, on the institute’s campus.

Hostel room found locked, police force entry

Police officials said Meena was staying alone as his roommate had gone home for the winter vacation. When there was no response from inside the room on Monday morning, the matter was reported to the authorities. The police later broke open the door and found the student inside.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashutosh Kumar said initial observations suggest that Meena may have attempted self-harm before his death. A knife and blood marks were recovered from the room, though officials believe the injury was not fatal. The body has been sent for postmortem examination to determine the precise cause of death.

No suicide note, notebook taken for probe

Investigators said no suicide note was found at the scene. However, a notebook recovered from the room reportedly contained the words “Sorry Everyone”, which has been seized as part of the investigation. The police stated that while the case appears to be a suicide based on preliminary evidence, all aspects are being thoroughly examined.

Family informed, institute issues statement

The IIT Kanpur administration informed Meena’s family about his tragic death. The institute’s media cell released a statement expressing sorrow over the student’s death and conveyed condolences to the family. No senior official has addressed the incident publicly so far.

The institute is currently closed for winter vacation, which began on December 28, and Meena was reportedly preparing to travel home.

Mental health concerns resurface

The incident has once again drawn attention to student mental health concerns at IIT Kanpur. This is reportedly the third such case in 2025. Earlier, a student named Dheeraj Saini was found dead on campus in October.

According to police records, more than 10 student suicides have been reported at IIT Kanpur in the last five years, while over 18 cases have been recorded in the past 15 years, despite the presence of counselling and student support facilities. The police said the investigation is ongoing.