A second-year Post-Graduate Programme (PGP) student from the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B) passed away after accidentally falling from the second floor of a hostel building on the campus located on Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru.
Nilay Kailashbhai Patel, 29, a resident of Surat, had cut a birthday cake with friends before the incident. He was due to start work on Monday after securing a placement with a fashion e-commerce company.
He was an alumnus of the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), where he completed his BTech in computer engineering in 2019. His LinkedIn profile highlighted his expertise in programming languages like C and C++ and his professional experience at OYO, where he worked on consumer interfaces for over three years in Bengaluru.
During his time at IIM-B, Nilay was a member of the national runners-up team in the prestigious BCG ReDesign Case competition.
According to the Mico Layout police, Nilay was discovered unconscious on the hostel lawn at approximately 6:30 am by security guards. Despite efforts by a medical team, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), he was declared brought dead at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Nilay may have accidentally fallen from the second-floor balcony of his hostel building while returning to his room after the celebration. Police noted minor bruises on his body but no major external injuries.
A senior officer stated, “Patel’s hostelmates claimed they did not hear any noise. There is no official complaint about his death. His parents in Gujarat have been informed, and we are awaiting their arrival. Based on their complaint, we will proceed with the investigation.”
The officer ruled out suicide, stating there was no note or indication of personal distress. The exact cause and time of death will be determined following a post-mortem examination.
Nilay’s friends shared that he had joined them for a midnight celebration in their room, where they cut a birthday cake. He left for his second-floor room after the festivities, but no one witnessed what happened afterward.
IIM-Bangalore expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement, the institution said:
“It is with profound sadness that IIM-Bangalore shares the news of the untimely passing of our PGP 2023-25 student, Nilay Kailashbhai Patel. A bright and popular student, and a much-loved friend to many, Nilay will be sorely missed by the entire IIM-B family. In this difficult time, we request consideration, respect, and privacy for him and his family.”
The All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA) has called for transparency from IIM-B regarding the incident. In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account, AIOBCSA said:
“We demand that @iimb_official provide clarity on this critical issue. The institution lacks adequate mechanisms to address the concerns of marginalised communities, a matter we have repeatedly highlighted. We call upon @EduMinOfIndia to take immediate action to prevent student suicides and to strengthen institutional support systems for students from marginalised backgrounds.”
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