IIT boy death: FIR after family alleges intimidation and murder
Times of India | 17 August 2026
Kharagpur: Kharagpur Town police has drawn an FIR into the death of Ankit Sharma, a second-year mechanical engineering student who died after falling from the third floor of the Nalanda classroom complex, following a complaint lodged by his uncle Bhanwar Lal Sharma on Friday.
Sharma alleged that the 18-year-old had been murdered and demanded an impartial probe into the circumstances leading to Ankit’s death. He alleged that Ankit may have been subjected to harassment, mental pressure, intimidation, humiliation, or academic or other pressure connected with the institution.
IIT Kharagpur had also lodged an FIR on Thursday relating to abetment to suicide. The institute stated that Ankit was brought to the Emergency of B C Roy Technology Hospital, IIT Kharagpur immediately. “Upon examination, the body showed no significant external injury but profuse bleeding from the left ear. The left wrist showed signs of bony injury. The patient showed no sign of life, immediate CPR started and all interventions given, even then the patient could not be revived and was declared dead,” the institute’s letter to the police stated.
Sharma wrote, “It is apprehended that the deceased may have been subjected to harassment / mental pressure / intimidation / humiliation / academic or other pressure connected with the institution.That the deceased had been subjected to circumstances which, prima facie, require investigation as to whether any person had instigated, intentionally aided or otherwise abetted the... suicide.”
He alleged that crucial facts leading to the death had not been properly disclosed and sought seizure of CCTV footage from the terrace, hostel, building premises, corridors and entry and exit points. He also sought examination of hostel, attendance and academic records, complaints, communications, counselling and security records.
Police have sent viscera samples for forensic examination. They have spoken to several friends of the deceased. Police sources said the probe is considering suicide, accident and the allegations raised by the family.