Tragic Suicide at Patna NIT Sparks Student Protests: Pallavi Reddy Found Hanging in Hostel, Students Demand Director’s Resignation Over Alleged Negligence

News Report:

Patna’s National Institute of Technology (NIT) was shaken after second-year Computer Electronics student Pallavi Reddy, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, was found dead by suicide in her hostel room. The tragic incident triggered widespread protests among students, who accused the administration of negligence. Tensions escalated as students demanded the resignation of NIT’s director. Here’s a detailed account of the events:

Pallavi Found Hanging in Hostel Room:
Pallavi’s roommates returned from the mess late Friday night to find her hanging in the room. Despite immediate outcry, no attempt was made to check her pulse or provide medical assistance, according to fellow students.

Administration’s Negligence Alleged:
Students accused the security personnel and administration of negligence, claiming that officials locked Pallavi’s room without attempting to resuscitate her. They also alleged that the administration delayed taking Pallavi to the hospital.

Student Protests Erupt:
Outraged by the incident, students gathered in large numbers at the Patna campus, chanting "We Want Justice" and demanding accountability. Similar protests erupted in the Bihta campus, where students expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of facilities.

Demand for Director’s Resignation:
Amid the protests, students called for the resignation of NIT’s director, citing inadequate responses from the administration and the forced relocation of students to Bihta despite poor infrastructure.

Previous Suicide Incident at NIT:
The tragedy echoes a 2017 suicide of another NIT student, Shikha Shukla, which also raised concerns about student safety and support at the institute.

Hostel Conditions Questioned:
Students highlighted unsafe conditions in Bihta, claiming construction workers frequently passed near their rooms and the campus was unfinished, adding to their discomfort and sense of insecurity.

Ongoing Police Investigation:
The police have begun investigating Pallavi’s death, with FSL teams conducting a detailed probe. Her body has been sent for post-mortem, and her family has been notified. The cause of her suicide remains unclear.