With the troubling rise in student suicides across higher education, the Supreme Court has taken a significant step by forming a National Task Force (NTF) to tackle mental health issues among students. The court stressed the necessity for a comprehensive and effective approach to address the factors leading to these incidents. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of two IIT Delhi students in 2023, which has prompted urgent calls for action against academic pressure, caste discrimination, and other systemic issues. The NTF, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, will investigate the causes, review current regulations, and propose solutions to enhance mental health support in educational institutions.
Objectives of the NTF
- Identify key causes of student suicides.
- Assess the effectiveness of existing legal and institutional frameworks.
- Provide recommendations to strengthen protections and prevent student suicides.
Timeline for Reports
- Interim report: Within four months.
- Final report: Within eight months.
- Court’s Directives to Law Enforcement:
- Delhi Police must register an FIR regarding the deaths of two IIT Delhi students in 2023.
- Investigations must be conducted by an officer of ACP rank or higher.
Legal Aspects
- The court emphasized the police’s duty under Section 174 and Section 154 of the CrPC to investigate unnatural deaths and register FIRs accordingly.
