Bhubaneswar: The suicide of third-year computer science girl student (Prakriti Lamsal) from Nepal on the KIIT campus has not only rocked the Odisha assembly, but the MEA has also made a statement on the issue as it involved bilateral relationship with a neighbouring country – Nepal.
It seems the furore over the student suicide at KIIT here has drawn the attention of the country‘s Apex Court.
Hearing a case pertaining to suicides of two SC students in Delhi IIT in 2023, the SC 2-Judge Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Mahadevan has passed an order Monday with regard to filing of FIR and constitution of a National Task Force on student suicides.
In the very order of the Supreme Court, the 2 Judge Bench reasoning the need for setting up of a National Task Force on student suicides have listed a series of such instances taken place across the country, and in the list quoted the 15th Feb KIIT suicide case.
SC PUTS ONUS ON EDU INSTITUTES
The Supreme Court has taken the series of student suicides happening within the campus of reputed educational institutes very seriously.
The 2-Judge Bench has very categorically stated that it is the responsibility of the educational institutes to maintain the safety and well-being of the students.
“We are of the view that responsibility of maintaining the safety and well-being of students rests heavily on the administration of every educational institution,” the bench observed.
SC ASKS FOR IMMEDIATE FIR
The Apex Court has also passed an order Monday that has set very crystal clear guidelines for the educational institutes and the Police.
The top court had said registering an FIR is a legal obligation of the educational institutes.
The SC said:
“In the event of any unfortunate incident, such as a suicide occurring on campus, it becomes their unequivocal duty to promptly lodge an F.I.R. with the appropriate authorities. Such action is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative to ensure transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of justice.”
SC DIRECTIONS TO POLICE
Stating in clear terms, what police would do in case the authorities come across suicide of student on campus.
The Apex court directed that police have to file FIR without delay.
“It is incumbent upon the police authorities to act with diligence and responsibility by registering the FIR without refusal or delay.”
The bench further observed:
“This ensures that due process of law is upheld, and a thorough investigation can be conducted to uncover the truth and address any underlying causes.”
The court expressed unhappiness with the practice of police undertaking an investigation under Section 174 of CrPC in suicide cases.
The Bench observed:
“To close the entire matter after undertaking an investigation under Section 174 of the CrPC is something which we do not approve of.”
SUICIDE IS A COGNISABLE OFFENCE
The Apex court’s Order Monday has clearly stated that how suicide is a cognizable offence. The Bench said:
- It is legitimate to argue that the commission of suicide is not a cognizable offence.
- The SC then stated
- A person who commits suicide goes beyond the cognizance of police.
- What is cognizable in cases of suicide is the abetment to commit suicide.
- Therefore, the complaint made by the complainant must disclose abetment of commission of suicide by the person named therein before an F.I.R. can be registered
The SC order thus made it obligatory for Police to register an FIR, if complainant names any person’s for abetment of suicide in any educational institute.
SC ON HOW TO APPLY FULL STOP?
The 2-judge Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Mahadevan have finally observed this swift action of registering FIR and conducting inquiry is essential to put a full stop on the growing number of students suicides on campus.
The bench said:
“The harmonious discharge of these duties by both educational institutions and law enforcement agencies is essential to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies and to preserve trust in societal institutions. In a given case, failure on part of the administration of any educational institution may be viewed strictly.”
SC CONSTITUTES TASK FORCE
In its order directing setting up a 9-member National Task Force on recurring student suicides, including in prestigious national institutes, the order mentions the Feb 15th KIIT suicide case.
The Bench observed:
“In light of the concerns expressed above, a National Task Force to address the mental health concerns of students and prevent the commission of suicides in Higher Educational Institutions is being constituted and shall comprise of the following members:
- Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, as the Chairperson
- Dr. Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research
- Prof. Mary E. John (retired), Former Director, Centre for Women’s Development Studies
- Arman Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People.
- Prof. Rajendar Kachroo, Founder, Aman Satya Kachroo Trust
- Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of the Department of Community Medicine in Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research
- Dr. Seema Mehrotra, Professor of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS
- Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Visiting Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD)
- Dr. Nidhi S. Sabharwal, Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education, National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA)
- The Apex cout has appointed senior Advocate Aparna Bhat as amicus curiae (friend of court).
STUDENT SUICIDE ENORMITY IN INDIA
As per the report titled “Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India”:
“The incidence of student suicides is displaying a concerning trend, surpassing both population growth rates and overall suicide trends. Over the last decade, while the population of 0-24 year-old reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 7,696 to 13,089.”
The report further observed:
“Over the course of the last twenty-year and ten-year periods, the population of 0–24 year-olds has grown 0.2% and -0.02% respectively, student suicides exhibited a compounded annual growth rate of 4% and 7% respectively. In comparison, overall suicides grew 2% annually, but this rate surged to 5% over the last five years.”
The report has listed Odisha among the top 5 states in the country that have recorded an eye-popping rise in student suicides over the last 5-year period (based on NCRB data).
STUDENT SUICIDE IN ODISHA
According to the data shared by CM Mohan Majhi in the State Assembly, the trend of student suicides in the State is on the rise.
- 2023 – 189
- 2022 – 173
- 2021 – 119
The numbers show sharp rise in 2022. And 2023 saw an incremental rise.
The gender divide shared by the CM shows the following trend during the last 3-yr period.
- Boys – 218
- Girls – 263
This shows suicides by girl students are higher than boys in Odisha.
On the contrary, the national ratio in 2022 shows when 53% of student suicides are by males, 47% are by females.
Since sexual exploitation has been a major factor behind student suicides, besides academic pressure and caste discrimination, Odisha has recorded more female suicides than males
