BITS deaths: Collector report details campus safeguards

South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus leads DLMC review of student welfare measures at BITS.

MARGAO
South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, has submitted a report to the State government regarding the suicide of a 20-year-old female student at BITS Pilani, Goa campus, on February 1 — exactly a month after the institute reported its sixth student death within a year.
The student, who hailed from Bengaluru, allegedly ended her life on campus, raising fresh concerns over student welfare and mental health at the premier educational institution.
Speaking to The Goan, the Collector said the report details both the circumstances surrounding the death and the measures implemented by the institute following earlier incidents. “I have submitted a report to the government on the death of the student and the measures put in place by the BITS Pilani administration since the institute had witnessed the fifth student death last year,” she said.
Cleetus, who heads the District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC), noted that the institute has introduced a series of measures in compliance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines on student mental health. According to her, BITS Pilani has engaged clinical psychologists, therapists, and a psychiatrist to strengthen mental health support on campus.
“The DLMC is satisfied with the measures put in place by the BITS Pilani institute as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court. The Committee will carry out a constant review of the measures in place at BITS from time to time in the interests of students’ well-being,” she said.
Responding to a query, the Collector added that the Director of BITS Pilani had submitted a detailed report outlining the steps taken to safeguard student welfare.
“The DLMC requested the institute administration to implement the measures as per the Supreme Court guidelines, which the institute has complied with,” she stated.
The recent death has once again put the spotlight on student mental health and the effectiveness of institutional safeguards at higher education campuses.
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Four months on, inquiry into fifth student death not capped yet
MARGAO: The South Goa District Collector, Egna Cleetus, has said the report on the death of the fifth student at BITS Pilani could not be capped for want of the police and forensic report on the student’s death.
“It is for the police to take a call to expedite the investigation into the case. From our part, the District Level Monitoring Committee has seen to it that the Supreme Court-mandated guidelines are implemented by the BITS institute,” the Collector said.
While the South Goa Collector had filed a preliminary report to the government on the death of the fifth student in September last, the inquiry could not be capped for want of the forensic and police report.
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Expanded counselling, security measures at BITS campus
MARGAO: BITS Pilani’s Goa campus has implemented a range of mental health, security and student welfare measures, according to a report submitted to the South Goa District Collector.
Under mental health and medical support, the institute has expanded its Mpower centre, staffed with two clinical psychologists, two therapists and one psychiatrist. A clinical psychologist is stationed on campus to facilitate regular interaction with students in informal community spaces beyond conventional therapy settings. Mental health awareness orientation sessions for parents and students of the incoming 2025 batch were also conducted.
The campus Health Centre remains accessible round the clock, ensuring continuous medical and emotional support. Students have access to a dedicated 24x7 helpline and email support, along with a separate 24x7 online helpline operated by Myndwell through two exclusive counsellors for the Goa campus. Cooj counselling sessions were conducted for three weeks in the academic block, including during examination periods, and will continue twice a month.
The administration has consulted mental health experts, including Dr Peter Castelino, Dr Soumitra Pathare and Dr Sujatha Sharma, on measures to prevent suicide contagion. Based on these deliberations, a comprehensive mental health policy has been drafted and announced.
Faculty members have undergone mental health sensitisation and gatekeeper training, while select faculty attended intensive active listening sessions. A campus-wide mental health and well-being assessment of students has also been carried out through Myndwell, with data under confidential analysis.
An anonymous student-led support platform, The Anonymous Group (TAG), has been formed to provide a safe and confidential peer-support space.
On the security front, an X-ray baggage scanner has been installed at the campus gate and CCTV coverage expanded across hostel corridors and common areas. The institute continues to enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards substance abuse, ragging and sexual harassment.
A special review committee has also been constituted for an independent assessment of the system. The panel includes external members Admiral Karambir Singh, former Chief of Naval Staff; Dr Saumitra Pathare; and former Goa Police SP Mohan S Naik, along with internal members from sister campuses. The committee has submitted its report with recommendations.
BITS CARES, a university-level wellness initiative, has also been launched to strengthen student support systems.