IIM Ahmedabad

A student’s suicide recently at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad has raked up a controversy with the deceased’s father making serious allegations against the premier institute.

Accusing the institute of not providing any aid or assistance to them after this heartbreaking situation, Hemant Bhukya, father of Akshith, has alleged that the authorities did not properly investigate the circumstances that led to the death of his son.

The 23-year-old Akshith from Telangana was found dead in his hostel room on September 26.

Addressing media persons, Akshith’s father Hemant Bhukya said, “My son was mentally tortured by the chief administrative officer of IIM-A, leading him to die by suicide. Despite such a serious incident, a satisfactory probe is yet to be conducted. I have also filed a written complaint with the Superintendent of Police (SP) regarding this matter.”

Adding to his statement, he said, “We have also not received any assistance from IIM Ahmedabad. Whether it was regarding fees or any other matter, no help was extended to us, nor were we given the director’s name or contact number. No one even told us where or how to lodge a complaint. My son died by suicide due to excessive harassment, so it is necessary to conduct a proper investigation in this matter. However, deliberate attempts are being made to suppress this case.”

IIM-A Director Bharat Bhasker who was contacted for a comment on these allegations could not be reached.

Akshith was pursuing an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) at the prestigious institute. The Vastrapur police is probing the incident.

In an official statement regarding this incident, IIM Ahmedabad said, ”The institute is deeply grieved to share the news about the untimely demise of our second-year MBA student Akshith Bhukya in his room on the afternoon of September 26, 2024, Thursday. We pray for the departed soul and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

“The Institute assures and is fully committed to providing all support to the bereaved members of Akshith’s family and the IIMA community at large,” it stated further.

Initially, no suicide note was found in the room.

The incident occurred in the newly constructed building on the IIM campus.

Fellow students at the spot reportedly recall hearing cries for help coming from the hostel, with someone shouting, “Akshith has hanged himself in his room.”

Talking about the incident, Vastrapur in-charge Police Inspector V D Mori stated, “We recovered Akshith’s mobile phone and laptop and have sent it for forensic analysis. We have also conducted preliminary conversations with his friends, but no concrete information has emerged so far.”

Initial investigation suggested that he may have been under stress related to his responsibilities.

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IIM Ahmedabad student dies by suicide at campus hostel

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