The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata issued a statement after Subhadip Roy, an integrated PhD student from the Department of Physical Sciences (DPS), was found dead last week in the institute’s laboratory in Nadia. district of West Bengal. “In Subhadip Roy we lost a dynamic student. His loss was a loss to the entire scientific community,” the statement said. The institute added that it had formed an internal committee to investigate the matter.
“IISER deeply regrets the tragic passing of Mr. Subhadip Roy, an integrated PhD student from the Dept of Physical Sciences (DPS). We would like to share a statement prepared by DPS that represents the views of the institute,” it tweeted.
After Subhadip’s mother registered an FIR with the Haringhata Police Station, they launched an investigation and a note was found in which the victim made allegations of negligence against a professor under whom he was pursuing his integrated PhD programme. The 29-year-old student did his thesis research under the supervision of prof.dr. Chiranjib Mitra.
The institute has said that the professor received his doctorate from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and a post-doctoral degree from the University of Cambridge. He had previously supervised five PhD students from his laboratory since joining IISER. “There have been no reports of allegations of abuse or harassment against Prof Mitra, previously, by any of his former students or current students,” the institute’s official statement reads.
It added that the IISER Kolkata wants the investigation to be conducted in a “fair and impartial manner, based on evidence and facts” and has asked not to spread misinformation and rumours.
Subhadip joined IISER Kolkata in 2014 after getting his BSc degree. After completing his master’s degree at the institute, he started his thesis research for his PhD. He was a senior research fellow of the CSIR. He had three first or lead author publications with his supervisor Prof Mitra and was involved in developing a state-of-the-art laboratory for processing quantum information and setting up a pulsed ESR.
According to an earlier statement from IISER Kolkata, “On Monday around 11 am, some students found the laboratory door locked from the inside. When guards broke open the door, they found the student on the floor. His face had turned black. rushed to a hospital where doctors said he had died several hours ago.” It added that the student’s death resembles a case of poisoning, but the exact cause of death has yet to be determined.
Read all the latest news, breaking news and IPL 2022 Live Updates here.
