IIT Kanpur BTech student found dead in hostel room; institute mourns death of 'outstanding student'

In a tragic incident, an undergraduate final year student in the Department of Electrical Engineering was found dead in the hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) today.

Dheeraj Saini, an undergraduate final year BTech student at IIT Kanpur from Haryana, aged 22, lived in room number 123 at Hostel 1, as per a report by PTI.

The incident came to light after other students alerted the institute’s authorities about a foul smell emerging from his locked room on Wednesday, the report added.

According to Ranjeet Kumar, assistant Commissioner of Police, Kalyanpur, a police team found Saini’s body hanging from the ceiling fan with a rope after they broke open the door of the hostel room, the report said.

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No suicide note recovered, says police

“The Institute is committed to take all the necessary steps to prevent such unfortunate incidents. At this hour of grief, the Institute condoles the untimely demise of an outstanding student and athlete, and prays for strength to the bereaved family,” IIT Kanpur said in its official statement.

He was a promising student and an active member of the institute’s athletic team, the institute stated.

“The reason leading to this tragic incident remains uncertain at this stage, however, IIT Kanpur is actively cooperating with the police and forensic team in the ongoing investigation,” it added.

No suicide note has been found. The cause of the death will be confirmed after the post-mortem report, the PTI report stated. This is the second suspected case of student suicide at the institute in 2025.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.