Justice J.B. Pardiwala, Justice R. Mahadevan, Supreme Court
Supreme Court Directs Union To Provide Physical Space For Work Of National Task Force Constituted For Mental Health Of Students
|The Supreme Court directed that the NTF must have a suitable space with adequate area so that they can convene their meetings periodically without any inconvenience.
The Supreme Court has directed the Union of India to provide a suitable physical space for the work of the National Task Force (NTF) which is accessible in all respects.
Earlier, in light of a disturbing pattern of student suicides being reported from various educational institutes, the Supreme Court had ordered the constitution of the NTF to address mental health concerns of students.
The Bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan directed, "We direct the Union to provide a suitable physical space for the work of the NTF which is accessible in all respects. The NTF must have a suitable space with adequate area so that they can convene their meetings periodically without any inconvenience."
Advocate Mehmood Parcha represented the Appellants, while ASG K.M. Nataraj and ASG Brijender Chahar represented the Respondents.
Case Brief
Two students, namely Ayush Ashna and Anil Kumar, committed suicide, who allegedly faced caste-based discrimination and mental health concerns at IIT Delhi.
The families claimed that the deceased students had repeatedly informed them about discrimination by hostel mates and faculty. His father alleged in his complaint that Ayush was deliberately failed in subjects and was found hanging in his hostel room under suspicious circumstances. Similarly, Amit Kumar, the elder brother of Anil Kumar, filed a complaint stating that Anil was subjected to caste-based remarks by professors and that bloodstains in his hostel room indicated foul play.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court ordered the constitution of a National Task Force (NTF) to address mental health concerns of students.
Court's Observation
The Court recorded the Status Report of NTF, constituted for mental health of students and prevention of student suicide mental health of students and prevention of student suicide and highlighted the challenges faced by the NTF.
The challenges faced by NTF were regarding finding a physical space for the work of the NTF and creation of website, among others.
"Even though the Government of India has written to various State Governments to appoint Nodal Officers, response has not been received from all the States. In certain cases, data solicited has not been forthcoming and this requires constant follow up. There are some issues with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data since the existing NCRB data does not provide unit level data on suicides by students. There are various gaps in the data received from the UGC, AICTE, Dental Council and the National Medical Commission (NMC) which is currently being analysed by the NTF. The NTF has, therefore, filed a separate application before this Hon'ble Court seeking appointment of Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as an ex-officio member so that the MHA would facilitate access of data to the NTF", stated the Status Report of NTF.
Thereby, in light of challenges faced by the NTF, the Court directed Union to provide a suitable physical space for the work of the NTF.
"The NTF must have a suitable space with adequate area so that they can convene their meetings periodically without any inconvenience", added the Court
The Court also requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate access to data to the NTF. Further, the Court asked the Additional Solicitor General, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, for the progress in the investigation of the two FIRs relating to suicide committed by two students who were studying in IIT, Delhi.
"In the same manner, we would like to know the status of the investigation undertaken by the Police of State of West Bengal relating to suicide committed by a student who was studying in IIT, Kharagpur", the Bench said.
Besides, the Court allowed the applications seeking appropriate directions for induction of the Ministry of Home Affairs into the National Task Force and impleadment of Union of India and Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education as Respondents.
Cause Title: Amit Kumar & Ors. V. Union of India (Criminal Appeal No.1425/2025)
Appearance:
Appellants: . AOR R.H.A. Sikander; Advocates Mehmood Pracha, Jatin Bhatt, Sanawar, Kshitij Singh, Nujhat Naseem and Sikander
Respondents: ASG Brijender Chahar for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education; ASG K.M. Nataraj for the Union of India and the State of Rajasthan, AOR Mukesh Kumar Maroria; AOR Sudarshan Lamba Advocate Aparna Bhat (Amicus)
Click here to read/download Order