PANAJI
With the autopsy in the latest case confirming death due to aspiration pneumonitis and severe gastritis, police have ruled out foul play and a narcotics angle across five recent student deaths at BITS Pilani’s Goa campus, even as doctors point to health neglect and the institute rejects claims of academic pressure.
South Goa SP Tikam Singh Verma said the most recent victim, Rishi Nair, was under clinical treatment when he died. “The student vomited in his sleep. The autopsy confirmed death due to aspiration pneumonitis and severe gastritis. We are still awaiting viscera reports in three cases, while two (suicides) have already come in. So far, no narcotics have been detected in any of the five cases,” Verma said.
A broad look at the cases shows two suicides and three health-related deaths, several occurring around semester examinations. Most were second or third-year students; four were pursuing dual-degree programmes. The clustering around exams has fuelled speculation about performance stress.
BITS Pilani, however, has denied that academic pressure is systemic, calling their academic structure “flexible”.
“There cannot be academic pressure in our system. We have a flexible structure wherein a student does not fail. At most, lower performance affects scores, and students can take extra classes to improve. A four-year course can be completed in three-and-a-half years or extended,” PRO Arjun Halarnkar told The Goan.
On the other hand, doctors have trained attention on health gaps. “Three of the five deaths at BITS Goa are linked to health neglect. The latest student was on anti-depression medication and died after choking on vomit in sleep. Lack of proper medical care in top institutes remains a concern,” Head of Department of Forensic Medicine at South Goa District Hospital, Dr Madhu Ghodkirekar, told The Goan.
But while concerns are raised on the series of deaths “ although the reasons are yet to be established conclusively in some, South SP stated they are investigating each case separately. “As of now, these cases are being probed individually. If there are any links, they will accordingly be taken ahead,” he stated.
In the meantime, campus controls have been tightened with sources stating that police personnel are deployed and meals for the canteen are being sent inside the campus through special persons. “No food delivery person is allowed to enter the canteen. We are aware of some students’ resentment, but safety is paramount,” the source said.
Administratively, the institute had postponed its May semester examinations by a month and started the new academic year last month. BITS said it already has augmenting support systems, while a new concept, the ‘mental health buddies’ programme, ran in August. The fourth death occurred a day before the training concluded.
