The family of deceased IIT Kharagpur student Faizan Ahmed, whose body was exhumed by a special team of officers for a second post mortem following a court order, alleged that the institute has been trying to influence the investigation. Ahmed, a mechanical engineering student and a resident of Assam's Dibrugarh district, was found dead in a hostel of IIT Kharagpur on October 14 last year. The authorities of the institute claimed that he died by suicide, while Ahmed's family alleged that he was killed. The family filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court over his unnatural death.
Recently, the Calcutta High Court ordered the exhumation of the body and a second post mortem. After his family gave their consent, Faizan Ahmed's body was exhumed on Tuesday, May 23. In the presence of a four-member police team from the Kharagpur Town police station in West Bengal, forensics experts from the Assam Medical College and Gauhati Medical College performed the exhumation procedure at the Amolapatty burial place in Dibrugarh town. The family of the late student, the local police, and magistrate Gautam Priya Mahanta were also present.
The body was deposited in the mortuary in Dibrugarh for the night. On Wednesday, it was taken to Kolkata by the special team officers accompanied by Ahmed's family.
Meanwhile, IANS learnt that a team from IIT Kharagpur was also insistent to be present during the exhumation process, but the family of the deceased student resisted strongly. The family members alleged to reporters that the IIT Kharagpur authorities have been trying to derail the investigation.
The body of 23-year-old Faizan Ahmed was found in room C-205 of the Lala Lajpat Rai Hall of Residence in the institute premises on October 14 last year. Two days later, his body was buried at the Amolapatty burial ground in Dibrugarh town.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm)
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.