SC imposes Rs 10K cost on lawyer over PIL on IIT suicides, terms it ‘frivolous’

SC imposes Rs 10K cost on lawyer over PIL on IIT suicides, terms it ‘frivolous’

SC imposed Rs 10,000 cost on a petitioner who filed PIL seeking direction to the Centre and IITs to formulate and implement a programme to address the menace of rising suicide cases on their campuses

Supreme Court of India


IANSPublished: 24 Sep 2020, 4:30 PM

Terming it "frivolous", the Supreme Court on Thursday imposed Rs 10,000 cost on a petitioner who filed a PIL seeking direction to the Centre and IITs to formulate and implement a programme to address the menace of rising suicide cases on their campuses.

A bench comprising Justices R.F. Nariman, Navin Sinha and Indira Banerjee said this is an utterly frivolous petition and asked the petitioner-in-person Gaurav Kumar Bansal: "How much cost should we impose on you?"

The bench noted that the Centre is well aware of the situation and dismissed the plea raising the issues of suicides on IIT campuses across the country.

During a brief hearing on the matter, Bansal argued that nearly 50 students have died by suicide in the IITs in the last five years. He urged the top court to intervene in the matter and also directed the Education Ministry and the IITs to formulate and implement a "student wellness programme" but the bench said it is not inclined to entertain the plea.

The lawyer submitted that a committee was earlier formed to probe into the causes behind suicide by students, and insisted that the situation remains the same.

Citing the Centre's response on the matter, the court told the petitioner that authorities were alive to the matter.

"We are dismissing it with Rs 10,000 as cost payable to the legal services authority," said the bench.

The plea had urged the apex court to direct all IITs to immediately plan, design, formulate and effectively implement a student health wellness programme. And, this programme should focus on prevention and reduction of suicides within the institutes, the plea sought.

Suicide is a bigger concern than murder,

Suicide is a bigger concern than murder
Prasoon Joshi on Sushant Singh Rajput’s case: 

Prasoon Joshi states during his interview that suicide is a disease, that also points towards the fact that someone is not able to cope and that something is not right in the Bollywood industry.

Written By Pinkvilla Desk 535239 reads Mumbai Updated: October 4, 2020 06:54 pm

Prasoon Joshi on Sushant Singh Rajput’s case: Suicide is a bigger concern than murder



Trigger Warning

The CBFC Chairman Prasoon Joshi spoke to Times Now for an interview. The ace screenwriter and poet states that it is very crucial to have concern. He further goes on to add that suicide is a bigger concern than murder. Prasoon Joshi states that how in a case of murder one has a culprit who the authorities will punish. But, CBFC Chairman states during his interview that suicide is a disease which brings to light how someone is not able to cope and how something is not right in the industry along with a feeling of insecurity among the people of the Bollywood industry.

He also states that previously he campaigned against suicides in the country. During the interview, the CBFC Chairman Prasoon Joshi was quizzed how the film industry got divided among people who supported Rhea Chakraborty and those who backed the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The NCB has arrested actress Rhea Chakraborty is Sushant's case. Prasoon Joshi also says that it is not just about producing blockbuster hits in the industry but also about the well being of its people. Prasoon Joshi was also quizzed about the drugs probe in Bollywood and questioned how it could be vendetta.

Prasoon Joshi says that the real issues get sidelined. He adds that if someone does not like his tone and manner of speaking nobody will pay attention to what he is saying. Prasoon Joshi says that where is the concept of having a dialogue with the people gone. Prasoon Joshi also mentions that instead of blaming each other, we must table the correct issues.

If you need support or know someone who is struggling, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist or speak to someone about it. There are several helplines available for the same.

(ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut is telling her truth, shouldn't be trivialised says CBFC Chairman Prasoon Joshi amid drug probe)

At least 36 people kill themselves in Tamil Nadu every day, shows NCRB data

At least 36 people kill themselves in Tamil Nadu every day, shows NCRB data


According to the data, 50 percent of suicides in the state are related to family problems followed by illness which accounts for 18 percent of suicides

Published: 03rd October 2020 07:14 PM |

A total of 13,493 people killed themselves in 2019 in Tamil Nadu, giving it a 9.7% share (Express Illustrations)
By Sahaya Novinston Lobo
Express News Service

CHENNAI: For the fourth consecutive year, Tamil Nadu holds the second place in the number of suicides in the country, according to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), with at least 36 people taking the extreme decision every day in the state.

A total of 13,493 people killed themselves in 2019 in Tamil Nadu, giving it a 9.7% share. Topping the list is Maharashtra with 18,916 and in third place is West Bengal with 12,665.

In October last year, seven from a same family killed themselves in Avadi and a month later, Fathima Latheef, a young college student from IIT-Madras, killed herself allegedly due to discrimination from the faculty. In the month of February, a 26-year-old Armed Reserve constable shot himself dead while on duty.

Tamil Nadu ranks first in family suicides in the country, with 43 people having died in 16 different cases. Similarly, over 914 students have taken the extreme decision in the state making it third in student suicides. Tamil Nadu also ranks first in suicides by government staff with 200 people in 2019.

According to NCRB data, 50 percent of suicides in the state are related to family problems followed by illness which accounts for 18 percent of suicides.

The data also mentions that girls below the age of 18 are vulnerable and kill themselves more than boys, while more men between the age of 30-45 take the extreme decision.

In the state, Chennai has more suicides with 2461 cases, followed by Madurai (345), Coimbatore (338) and Tiruchirapalli (188).

(Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on Tamil Nadu’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)