IIT Bhubaneswar PhD scholar dies after fall from sixth floor of hostel building

A PhD scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, Tanikonda Nishant Kumar, died on Saturday after allegedly falling from the sixth floor of a hostel building. Kumar, a research scholar in the electrical engineering department and a native of Andhra Pradesh, was found unconscious around 3:30 pm near the balcony of his room in A block of Brahmaputra Hall. An on-duty security guard discovered Kumar and rushed him to the campus medical facility, Sanjeevan Hospital, where emergency care was provided. Following medical advice, he was later transferred to a private hospital in an institute ambulance, where he was declared dead upon arrival. The incident was reported to police, who are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall. The institute confirmed the details in an official statement, noting that Kumar’s condition deteriorated despite initial emergency treatment. This marks a tragic incident at the institute, prompting authorities to review safety measures in hostel facilities. The police have not yet disclosed any preliminary findings on the cause of the fall, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.