Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas with officials of BITS Pilani Goa Campus on Monday.
VASCO
Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas on Monday sought a detailed report from the BITS Pilani-Goa campus following the alleged suicide of a student reported late Sunday night, marking the sixth student death at the institution in little over year.
Vas met BITS Pilani Goa Campus Director Soman Kundu, Dean (Administration) Minal Kaushik and other senior officials, expressing serious concern over the recurring incidents.
During the meeting, the management informed the MLA that the student was suffering from depression. Vas, however, demanded a thorough inquiry into the death, stating that repeated incidents had caused deep anxiety among parents, students and local residents.
He also asked the Director to issue a detailed statement clarifying the circumstances of the death, pointing out that several rumours were in circulation. Subsequently, Vas wrote to the Director, terming the latest incident “shocking and disturbing” and stating that the situation had become unacceptable for the people of Goa, particularly residents of the Cortalim constituency. “This is the sixth death within one year. Such a situation can no longer be tolerated,” Vas stated in the letter.
In his letter, Vas directed the institute to submit a detailed report outlining the pros and cons related to the incident without delay.
Recalling his visit to the campus in September 2025, the MLA reminded the authorities that they had assured him remedial steps would be taken to prevent such tragedies. “You had assured that measures such as installation of CCTV cameras, thorough security checks and appointment of counsellors would be implemented to ensure that no further incidents occur,” Vas wrote.
He added that the recurrence of deaths showed that “either these measures have failed miserably or the officials are not serious in performing their duties.”
Vas pointed out that such incidents were unheard of in the past at the prestigious institute and said the recent deaths had created fear and grief not only in Cortalim but across the State and beyond.
“Parents of students studying in other educational institutions are worried and scared about the safety of their children,” the letter stated.
Warning the management, Vas said the local population could no longer tolerate what he described as negligence on the part of the administration.
“If strict remedial actions are not taken immediately, there is a strong apprehension that such incidents may occur in the future as well,” he cautioned.
The MLA further noted that there was strong public sentiment that the institute should either be shut down or shifted outside Cortalim constituency.
“We may be compelled to take drastic steps in this respect in the near future,” he warned.
Copies of the letter were marked to the chief minister and education minister, Collector (South Goa), Deputy Collector (Mormugao), and Police Inspector of Verna police station.
