Anju Kumari, a 28-year-old junior technician at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, was tragically found dead inside her campus accommodation on Saturday, February 14, 2026. The incident, suspected to be a suicide, occurred after she reportedly disconnected a phone call with her fiancé. Local police have recovered a detailed personal diary from her room, which is now a crucial piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.
What Led to the Incident?
Anju, who had served IIT Kanpur for three years, reportedly worked late on Friday before returning to her room (Room 102, Type L quarters). On Saturday morning, she engaged in a long phone conversation with her fiancé, Pankaj, which allegedly ended in a verbal argument. Her body was discovered around 10:00 AM after her colleagues and campus security grew concerned when she did not respond to calls or knocks. Preliminary findings from her diary suggest she had been under significant emotional distress, exacerbated by her brother’s suicide several months earlier, and was seeking psychiatric help.
Key Evidence and Police Investigation
Investigators from Kalyanpur Police Station recovered a nearly 350-page personal diary from Anju’s room, which contains extensive entries about her personal life and mental state. Additionally, several torn pieces of paper were found, which police believe could be fragments of a suicide note. These slips have been sent for forensic reconstruction and handwriting analysis. Anju’s mobile phone has also been seized to analyze her call detail records, particularly focusing on her final conversation with her fiancé. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Kapil Deo Singh stated that mental stress from personal and family issues appears to be the primary cause. No formal complaint has been lodged by her family against the fiancé as of the latest reports.
Rising Concerns Over Mental Health at IIT Kanpur
This tragic event marks the 10th suicide reported at IIT Kanpur within a 24-month period since 2024. The institution had already introduced mandatory mental health screening for all new students in January 2026 following a series of previous student deaths. Anju’s death, being a staff member, has renewed calls and pressure on the institute’s administration to expand mental health safeguards and support systems to include all faculty and technical staff, aiming for a more inclusive and supportive campus environment. The institute expressed “deep grief” and affirmed its full cooperation with the authorities.
