Fourteen Student Suicides in Kota: SC Demands Accountability from Rajasthan
The Supreme Court of India on Friday expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in student suicides in Kota, a prominent coaching hub in Rajasthan. The bench, comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan, described the situation as “grave” and voiced strong dissatisfaction with the Rajasthan government's response to the crisis. The court noted with anguish that fourteen students have already died by suicide in Kota this year alone, indicating the severity of the problem.
During the hearing, Justice J.B. Pardiwala directly questioned the state government, asking, “What are you doing as a state? Why are these children committing suicide only in Kota? Has the state government not given any thought to this issue?” In response, the state's legal representative informed the bench that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed to probe the incidents of suicide.
However, the bench reminded the state government of its previous ruling on March 24, which recommended the establishment of a national task force to address mental health issues among students. The court warned that delays in the SIT report should not result in government inaction.
The Supreme Court also reviewed two other cases during the proceedings. In one case involving the death of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur student, the court expressed dissatisfaction over a four-day delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR). The bench warned, “Do not take such matters lightly. We may initiate contempt proceedings against the concerned police officer.”
In another case, the court showed strong disapproval over the failure to register an FIR in the suicide case of a National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) aspirant in Kota. The court questioned, “Are you defying our ruling? Why has the FIR not been registered?” It emphasized that the police are duty-bound to register an FIR and conduct an investigation, even when the student's parents are involved, as per the court's previous orders. The bench asserted that the responsible police officer had failed in this duty.
To seek an explanation for this failure, the court ordered the concerned police officer from Kota to appear before it on July 14. The Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan government to abandon negligence, take immediate and stringent measures to prevent student suicides, and ensure that accountable officials face strict action.