In the wake of the tragic deaths of two B.Tech students, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) has announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each for the bereaved families.
The decision comes amid intense student protests demanding Rs 1 crore compensation, following the unfortunate incidents last Saturday.
One of the deceased students, a hearing and speech-impaired individual from Telangana’s Nizamabad, allegedly died by suicide, while another 20-year-old student from Rangareddy passed away during treatment at a private hospital the same night. The back-to-back tragedies sent shockwaves through the campus, prompting widespread demonstrations.
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To address students’ concerns, IIIT-A Director and faculty members held a crucial meeting, deciding to provide financial aid from their personal contributions. Initially, an ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh was announced, but families refused to accept the offer. After further deliberations, the amount was raised to Rs 25 lakh per family.
Additionally, as a mark of respect, the institute declared a day-long campus closure on Tuesday.
Recognizing the need for a structured financial aid mechanism in such circumstances, IIIT-A has constituted a four-member committee to draft a compensation policy. The panel comprises:
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Prof. Shekhar Verma
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Prof. Pawan Chakraborty
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Prof. KP Singh
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Former Finance Officer OP Srivastava
This committee will assess potential financial sources for compensation in line with the IIIT-A Act, Ministry of Education guidelines, and other regulatory frameworks. A detailed report with recommendations is expected by April 7.
Following allegations of medical negligence in the death of the student undergoing treatment, IIIT-A has requested the principal of Motilal Nehru Medical College, Dr. Vatsala Mishra, to constitute a three-member panel to investigate the case.
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A fact-finding committee has also been formed to investigate the circumstances leading to the alleged suicide of the differently-abled student. The panel is chaired by Dean Prof. Pawan Chakraborty, with psychiatrist Dr. Pushkar Nigam and Allahabad High Court advocate Ayank Mishra as members. The report is due by April 7.
In a proactive move, the institute has also set up a to provide emotional and psychological support to students, particularly those with disabilities.
