IIT Student in Prayagraj Dies By Suicide: Sends Message To Mother Before Jumping To Death From Fifth Floor

In a tragic incident, a hearing- and speech-impaired student from IIIT-Allahabad’s BTech program, Rahul Chaitanya Madala, died by suicide on his birthday. Rahul, a native of Nizamabad, Telangana, took his own life by jumping from the fifth floor of his hostel late at night on March 30.

Despite securing admission to IIIT-A with an impressive 52nd rank in JEE, Rahul reportedly struggled with academic pressure. Before taking the extreme step, he sent a message to his mother, expressing his distress and urging her to take care of the family, including his father and younger brother.

Incident and Immediate Response

The tragic event unfolded around 2 AM, when hostel residents were startled by a loud noise. Upon discovering Rahul’s condition, fellow students rushed him to the hospital. The institute promptly informed the police, and his body was later sent for a post-mortem at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital (SRNH).

Reports suggest that Rahul failed six subjects in his first semester, which might have contributed to his anxiety. Furthermore, he had not attended classes for several months, adding to his academic struggles.

Family’s Reaction

Rahul’s mother, devastated by the news, shared her last interactions with him. “I got scared when I saw his message and immediately called him, but his phone was switched off. I then contacted his friend, who went to check on him. He later called back, informing me that Rahul was being taken to the hospital,”.

She also revealed that the institution had not informed the family about Rahul’s prolonged absence from classes. “Had we known earlier, we could have done something to help,” she said. She recalled how they used to attend speech therapy sessions together to improve communication and how Rahul would frequently update her about his daily life. Just days before his passing, he had asked her for ₹500, which she had sent without suspecting anything amiss.

Institution’s Response

IIIT-Allahabad’s director-in-charge, Prof. GC Nandi, announced the formation of a three-member investigative committee comprising Prof. US Tiwary, Prof. OP Vyas, and Prof. Pavan Chakraborty. The committee is expected to submit its findings within a week.

Additionally, the institute is considering setting up a fact-finding subcommittee consisting of senior faculty members, wardens, and student representatives—ensuring that at least 50% of the members are students.

This heartbreaking incident has sparked outrage among students, with many holding the institution accountable for not providing adequate support. The investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances leading to Rahul’s untimely death.