IIIT Ranchi student found dead in hostel, protest breaks out on campus

Students stage a protest outside the hostel after a first-year student of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) was found dead on October 11, 2026 | Photo credit: PTI

A first-year student of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Ranchi was found dead in his hostel room late on Saturday (October 10, 2026), leading to a chaotic situation on the campus and police intervention.

The student hailed from Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, police said on Sunday (Oct 11, 2026).

The incident came to light on Saturday (October 10) around 11.30pm after his friends, concerned that he was not answering the door of his hostel room, broke down the door and found him unresponsive. His friends then rushed him to a private hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

As the news of the death spread on campus, chaotic scenes were witnessed as students were distraught. The situation should have been controlled by the police.

The cause of the student’s death has not yet been determined. Police are likely to question other students living in the hostel to get more information about the incident.

The director faces the heat

The students claimed that the director of the institute was responsible for the mismanagement of the hostel and he should be removed. During the protest, the students blocked the Khelgaon-Tatisilwai road. The blockade resulted in long lines of vehicles coming from both sides.

The students alleged that the institute lacked basic facilities and alleged that the management was not taking the issue seriously. They also raised questions about the availability of emergency medical facilities such as ambulances and oxygen.

Ranchi Sadar Deputy Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Besra said the case is being investigated and action will be taken as per law.

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Published – 11 October 2026 18:40 IST