Amit Kumar vs Union of India 2025: Supreme Court Case

Amit Kumar vs Union of India (2025) case drew attention due to the tragic suicides of two Scheduled Caste students at IIT Delhi. The case raised serious concerns about institutional caste-based discrimination, mental health neglect and failure to register FIRs. The case spotlighted the broader issue of systemic apathy within premier higher educational institutions toward students from marginalized backgrounds. Discover more in-depth analyses of important Supreme Court decisions by exploring Recent Judgements of Supreme Court.

Amit Kumar vs Union of India (2025) Introduction

Amit Kumar vs Union of India (2025) is a landmark judgement where the Supreme Court addressed the rising student suicides linked to caste-based discrimination, academic pressure and mental health negligence in higher educational institutions. The petition was filed by the families of two deceased Scheduled Caste students from IIT Delhi and sought FIR registration and an independent probe into the alleged caste atrocities.

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Amit Kumar vs Union of India (2025) Historical Context and Facts

The case at hand revolves around the suicide of two Scheduled Caste students at IIT Delhi, where their families have accused the institution and faculty of caste-based discrimination and foul play. The Petitioners sought registration of First Information Reports and an independent investigation into the deaths. The following are the brief facts of Amit Kumar vs Union of India -

Background of the Appeal

The present appeal was filed against the decision of the High Court of Delhi. The High Court dismissed the writ petition filed by the Appellants where they sought for issuance a writ of mandamus to direct the police authorities to register a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the alleged suicide of two students enrolled at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi). The deceased students were the sons of Appellant no. 2 and Appellant no. 3.

Relief Sought Before the High Court

In the writ petition filed under Article 226 and Article 227 of Constitution of India, the petitioners sought -

• Direction to the police to register First Information Reports regarding the deaths of their sons
• An impartial investigation by the police authorities
• An independent probe into alleged caste-based atrocities within IIT Delhi
• Monitoring of the investigation by the Court
• Enforcement of provisions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Rules of 1995

Incident Reports and Allegations

Two separate complaints had been submitted by the bereaved families:

• Complaint regarding Ayush Ashna: Filed by Mr. Ramesh Kumar on 26th July, 2023 alleged that his son was murdered in his hostel room (Udaigiri Hostel, Room No. WH-02) on 8th July, 2023 and that the incident had been misrepresented as a suicide. Caste-based discrimination by faculty and hostel mates was alleged to have led to his death.
• Complaint regarding Anil Kumar: Filed by Mr. Amit Kumar on 9th September, 2023 regarding the death of his younger brother who was found dead on 1st September, 2023 in Room No. EA-18, Vindhyachal Hostel. Similar allegations of caste-based harassment and foul play were made.

Post-Mortem Reports and Preliminary Inquiries

• Ayush Ashna: The post-mortem signified his death to asphyxia due to hanging. Statements were recorded from his relatives and friends most of whom denied any suspicion of foul play. Academic stress due to poor performance was reasoned as a potential cause of depression. His grade reports indicated multiple failures in the 2nd semester of the 2022-23 academic year.
• Anil Kumar: The post-mortem stated death was caused due to ante-mortem compression of the neck by ligature. His relatives also stated that he had been under stress owing to low academic scores. The academic records revealed that he had failed in several semesters.

Enquiry Findings

During the enquiry it was observed that -

• Other students from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe backgrounds at IIT Delhi were interviewed and none of them reported any incidents of caste-based discrimination.
• Hostel forms were examined and found not to contain any column revealing students caste categories.
• It was found that both students had been under academic stress due to repeated failures in their coursework.

Summary of Circumstances

It was observed from the available records that:

• Ayush Ashna was found dead on 8th July, 2023 in his seventh-floor hostel room in Udaigiri Hostel.
• Anil Kumar was discovered dead on 1st September, 2023 in his ground-floor room in Vindhyachal Hostel.

The police have not registered the First Information Report in either case which led to the filing of the present appeal in the Supreme Court.

Amit Kumar vs Union of India (2025) Legal Issues

The following issues were addressed in Amit Kumar vs Union of India -

• The Supreme Court acknowledged the increasing number of student suicides due to caste-based discrimination, academic pressure, ragging and lack of mental health support.
• The Supreme Court highlighted that educational institutions have a mandatory obligation to register an FIR in the event of a suicide or similar incident on campus.
• The Court in Amit Kumar vs Union of India noted the ineffectiveness of existing student welfare systems and mental health policies in preventing suicides.
• The Court noted that the case was triggered by allegations of institutional caste-based harassment.

A 2- Judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan in a landmark decision of Amit Kumar vs Union of India on 24th March, 2025 the Court took proactive steps to consider the increasing mental health issues among students in higher educational institutions (HEIs).

The Supreme Court issued directions during the hearing of the petition filed by the parents of two Scheduled Caste students from IIT Delhi which are as follows -

Constitution of National Task Force

The Supreme Court directed the formation of a National Task Force to be chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice S. Ravindra Bhat to investigate the mental health issues in Higher Educational Institutions and suggest measures to prevent student suicides. The Task Force consists of educationists, psychologists, disability rights activists and mental health experts.

Mandatory FIR in Campus Suicides

The Court in Amit Kumar vs Union of India ruled that in case of suicide of a student on campus the institution must immediately file an FIR with the relevant authorities. Failure to act on such incidents amounts to breach of institutional duty.

Acknowledgment of Systemic Issues

A 2-Judge Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan addressed that caste discrimination, ragging, academic pressure and lack of institutional support contribute to student suicides . The Court highlighted that the universities must promote a safe, sensitive and inclusive environment

Scope and Responsibilities of the Task Force

The Task Force was ordered to -

• Identify reasons of student suicides
• Examine mental health and welfare policies
• Suggest reforms including effective implementation of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act
• Conduct inspections of educational institutions
• Prepare national action plan for mandatory mental health services in all Higher Educational Institutions

Involvement of States and UTs

All States or UTs must appoint Joint Secretary level nodal officer from their Higher Education Department to coordinate with Task Force. Compulsory cooperation from universities and state authorities

Funding and Logistics

The Court ordered the Union Government to deposit Rs. 20 lakhs with the SC Registry within 2 weeks to cover the initial expenses of the Task Force. The Ministry of Education remains responsible for administrative and financial support throughout.

Next Steps

The Task Force must submit an interim report within 4 months and final report within 8 months. The matter remains part-heard and the Court will revisit it after the interim report is filed.

Conclusion

In Amit Kumar vs Union of India (2025) the Supreme Court addressed the institutional failures that lead to student suicides and ordered the formation of a National Task Force to deal with mental health issues in higher education. The decision highlighted mandatory FIR registration, systemic reform and inclusive campus environments.