The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on the Rajasthan government, expressing serious concern over the increasing number of student suicides in Kota, India’s coaching hub.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan described the situation as “grave” and questioned the state’s apparent inaction in curbing the crisis.
“What are you doing as a state? Why are these children dying by suicide and only in Kota? Have you not given a thought as a state?”
— Justice Pardiwala
The court was informed that 14 student suicides have been reported in Kota so far in 2025. While the state’s counsel responded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed to probe these cases, the bench was unconvinced, citing a clear lack of urgency and compliance with court directives.
IIT Kharagpur Case Sparks Broader Scrutiny
The hearing also involved a separate case concerning a 22-year-old IIT Kharagpur student found hanging in his hostel on May 4. The court took strong exception to the four-day delay in registering an FIR in that case.
“Don’t take these things lightly. These are very serious things,” — Justice Pardiwala
Despite the police claiming that an FIR was eventually filed on May 8 and an investigation is underway, the bench called the delay inexcusable and warned it could have triggered contempt proceedings against the local police in-charge.
“We could have taken a very strict view of the matter… We could have even proceeded for contempt.”
While refraining from punitive action for now, the court made it clear that the probe must be swift, lawful, and thorough.
NEET Aspirant’s Death In Kota Raises Red Flags
The bench also reviewed another case involving the suicide of a NEET aspirant in Kota, who was living with her parents after leaving her institute’s accommodation in November 2024. The court criticised the local police for failing to file an FIR, stressing that this was a clear violation of the Supreme Court’s own directive issued on March 24, which had called for mandatory FIR registration and investigation in such cases.
“You are in contempt of our judgment. Why have you not registered the FIR?”
— Supreme Court to Rajasthan Counsel
The bench said the police were duty-bound to act regardless of whether the student lived in institutional housing. It pointed to systemic negligence in the way local authorities have handled suicide investigations.
National Task Force Cited, But Court Wants Action Now
The court acknowledged that a national task force, constituted following its March 24 ruling, is already in place to address student mental health issues, but cautioned that its findings will take time.
In the meantime, it emphasized the state’s immediate responsibility to act on current cases and prevent further tragedies.
Officer Summoned
As part of its interim action, the Supreme Court summoned the officer-in-charge of the territorial police station handling the Kota case to appear in court on July 14 and explain the inaction.
Court’s firm stance underscores the judiciary’s growing concern over the mental health crisis among students, particularly in pressure-filled academic environments like Kota. With both IIT and NEET aspirants among the victims, the court’s intervention signals a push for greater accountability from educational institutions, state governments, and law enforcement.
The message from the bench was unambiguous: Student suicides are not isolated incidents, but symptoms of a systemic failure that demands urgent reform.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
