IISER suicide: Dean resigns for ‘impartial probe’ | Kolkata News

KOLKATA: The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata’s dean of student affairs, Ayan Banerjee, resigned from his post on Sunday after students pointed out a ‘conflict of interest’.A source said the dean of administration is also likely to be replaced after students demanded his removal for alleged negligence.Banerjee, who quit as dean of student affairs, is also the chairman of anti-ragging committee. On Saturday, a relative of PhD student Anamitra Roy (26), who died by suicide at IISER after being allegedly humiliated by a fellow student, lodged a complaint with Haringhata PS. This has led to police probe. IISER Kolkata has set up a fact-finding committee to probe the incident, an institute spokesperson said on Sunday.

“It was unfortunate that the anti-ragging committee neglected Roy’s complaint against a research scholar and the supervisor, who happens to be Banerjee’s wife. There was a conflict of interest,” students noted. The anti-ragging committee has also been dissolved after students demanded the same. The students also demanded a probe against the current members.“Students were asked to suggest names for the reconstruction of the anti-ragging committee from Saturday night till Sunday morning. Replacement of names for the dean of administration has also been sought from students. They have suggested the names, and the processes are underway,” a source said. A student said, “A Google form was mailed by the Student Affairs Council to seek our choices.” The scholar whom the student blamed, Saurabh Biswas, however, denied any role. Biswas said in some cases Anamitra flouted hostel rules, which he brought to the notice of their supervisor. .Biswas claimed his thesis report generated excellent reviews from his seniors and peers, which led to Anamitra spamming him. Police said that Biswas may also be questioned in the ongoing probe.(Written with inputs from Ashis Poddar in Kalyani)