IIT-ISM Dhanbad Final-Year Student Dies After Fall From Hostel Building

A final-year student at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, died following a fall from the eighth floor of a campus hostel on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Police reported that the incident took place at approximately 8 a.m.

The deceased was identified as 21-year-old Mane Rajkumar Pratik, a native of Ahmedpur city in Latur district, Maharashtra, who was enrolled in the Department of Petroleum Engineering.

Incident and Hospital Response

• Timeline: Police stated the fall occurred around 8 a.m. on Saturday.
• Hospital Transport: IIT (ISM) chief security officer Ram Manohar stated that security personnel rushed the student to the nearest Ashrafi Hospital upon receiving information, but doctors were unable to revive him.
• Current Status: The body was placed in the mortuary pending the arrival of his parents for a post-mortem examination.

Institute and Police Investigation

• Academic Record: Institute management described the student as academically proficient and active in extracurricular pursuits.
• Police Inquiry: Dhanbad police initiated an investigation, recovering the student's mobile phone and noting a long WhatsApp message sent to his parents, though no explicit suicide note was found.
• Statements: Authorities indicated they will question friends and acquaintances to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.

Institute officials noted that regular counselling sessions are organized to support students facing academic or personal pressures, though management stated there was no prior confirmation of depression or related issues concerning the student.

*(Support for individuals experiencing distress is available via Tele-MANAS at 14416 and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline at 044-24640050).*