A tragic incident at the prestigious Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) in Surat has left the campus in shock. A 20-year-old third-year Computer Science Engineering student, Advait Nair, allegedly died by suicide late on Sunday night by jumping from the second floor of his hostel balcony.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The incident occurred at around 11:15 PM on Sunday, December 1, 2025, at the Bhabha Boys Hostel on the SVNIT campus. According to sources from the Umra police station, Nair, a resident of the second floor, came out of his room and allegedly jumped from the balcony onto the ground below.
Other students, alerted by the sound of the fall, rushed out to find him lying lifeless. The students immediately tried to seek help. They first went to the campus ambulance station on bicycles but found it non-responsive. Subsequently, they called the 108 ambulance service, which transported Nair to Sunshine Global Hospital for emergency treatment.
Despite initial medical efforts, doctors at the hospital declared him dead. Sources among the students revealed that the hostel warden and other institute staff reached the hospital only after he was declared dead.
Student Protests and Institutional Response
On Monday, the campus witnessed strong protests by students demanding accountability. They held placards with messages like "Who is responsible for the death of Nair? Strict actions should be taken." The protests prompted swift administrative action.
Sources confirmed to The Indian Express that the SVNIT authorities have accepted the resignation of the boys' hostel warden, Amit Solanki, and have initiated an internal inquiry into the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
Nair, a native of Kerala, was the son of NRI parents based in Oman. A teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the student had not performed well in his fourth semester and had been irregular in attending classes, suggesting possible academic stress.
Police Investigation and Aftermath
The Umra police were informed and officials reached the hospital. The police took charge of the body and sent it to New Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination. An Accidental Death Report (ADR) has been registered, and a probe is underway.
Umra Police Inspector J A Rathva stated, "We have registered an offence of accidental death and have started a probe. We are going to find out the reason behind him taking such an extreme step. At present, it is difficult to say anything as we have to take statements from the boy’s hostel warden, and others of SVNIT."
Nair's parents arrived in Surat from Oman on Monday afternoon. After the completion of the post-mortem, his body was handed over to them for the final rites. The institute community mourns the loss of the young student as investigations continue to piece together the events that led to this unfortunate incident.
