SANCOALE: A wave of shock swept through the BITS Pilani Goa campus on Thursday after the death of a 20-year-old student, identified as Rishi Nair, marking the fifth such case at the institution in the past year.
Verna police rushed to the site and have begun investigations, saying all angles are being probed given the disturbing pattern of incidents that have shaken the academic community.
The fresh tragedy comes on the heels of four earlier student deaths reported since December 2024. In that month, Om Priyan Singh, a second-year BE Computer Science and MSc Chemistry student, died by suicide. Three months later, in March, Atharv Desai, a third-year dual-degree student, also ended his life.
In May 2025, Krishna Kasera, a second-year dual-degree student, was found dead under circumstances that led his family to suspect foul play. Then in August, Kushagra Jain, a third-year Economics and Computer Science student, was discovered lifeless in his hostel room, with toxicology reports later confirming traces of medicine in his body.
With Nair’s death now under investigation, concerns have deepened over what many fear is an alarming trend. Students, parents, and alumni are voicing urgent questions about campus safety, mental health support, and institutional accountability.
Timeline of Student Deaths at BITS Pilani Goa
Dec 2024: Om Priyan Singh (2nd year BE Computer Science & MSc Chemistry) died by suicide.
Mar 2025: Atharv Desai (3rd year dual-degree) ended his life.
May 2025: Krishna Kasera (2nd year dual-degree, MSc Chemistry & BE Electrical & Instrumentation) found dead; family suspected foul play.
Aug 2025: Kushagra Jain (3rd year Economics & Computer Science) found dead in hostel; toxicology revealed medicine traces.
Sept 2025: Rishi Nair (around 20 years) found dead; probe underway.
Mysterious Deaths….
* Fifth death in a year reported at BITS Pilani Goa campus.
* Latest victim: 20-year-old student, Rishi Nair, found dead on Thursday.
* Police investigation underway, all angles being probed.
* Previous cases:
* Dec 2024: Om Priyan Singh, suicide.
* Mar 2025: Atharv Desai, suicide.
* May 2025: Krishna Kasera, family suspected foul play.
* Aug 2025: Kushagra Jain, medicine traces in body.
* Campus community alarmed by repeated tragedies.
* Key concerns: student safety, mental health support, institutional accountability.
