Rishi Nair Death and Obituary – The BITS Pilani Goa campus has once again been struck by tragedy following the death of a young student in his hostel room. On Thursday, September 4, 2025, 19-year-old Rishi Nair, a second-year Physics student, was discovered lifeless in his accommodation. His passing marks the fifth student death on the campus in less than a year, raising widespread concern and prompting a formal probe by the Goa government.

Details of Rishi Nair’s Death
Rishi Nair, originally from Bengaluru, had transferred from the BITS Hyderabad campus to Goa earlier this year. According to authorities, the discovery of his death came after he failed to respond to multiple phone calls. His parents, along with university officials, forced open his hostel room door and found him lying motionless on his bed.

Police sources revealed that Nair had been struggling with depression following the death of his girlfriend, who died by suicide two and a half months ago in Hyderabad. Reports further suggest that Nair had been prescribed anti-depressant medication to manage his condition. While the exact cause of death remains uncertain pending the postmortem report, investigators are exploring the possibility of suicide or a fatal overdose.

Pattern of Tragedies on Campus
Nair’s death has amplified concerns regarding student welfare at the Goa campus. His passing is the fifth fatal incident recorded since December 2024.

December 2024: Om Priyan Singh, a second-year student, died by suicide.

March 2025: Third-year student Atharv Desai passed away.

May 2025: 20-year-old dual-degree student, Krishna Kasera, was found dead.

August 2025: 20-year-old student, Kushagra Jain, was discovered unresponsive in his hostel room.

This troubling pattern has sparked urgent calls for deeper scrutiny into the mental health resources and support systems available to students.

Official Response and Investigation
In response to the series of deaths, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced the formation of a high-level committee led by the South Goa district collector to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The state government emphasized that understanding the underlying causes and implementing corrective measures is a top priority.

BITS Pilani, in a formal statement, confirmed Nair’s death and acknowledged that he had been undergoing clinical treatment for a “personal health challenge.” The institution assured full cooperation with the ongoing police inquiry.

Meanwhile, South Goa Superintendent of Police confirmed that there was no evidence of a drug-related link across the five deaths reported on campus. Authorities reiterated that each case is being treated with seriousness and that preventive steps would be recommended following the committee’s findings.

Community Mourning and Concern
The BITS Pilani community, including faculty, staff, and fellow students, is reeling from yet another loss. Vigils and discussions on campus have reflected a mixture of grief and frustration, with many urging the administration to strengthen mental health programs, counseling services, and peer support networks to prevent further tragedies.

As investigations continue, Rishi Nair’s untimely passing stands as a somber reminder of the urgent need to address student mental health challenges in academic institutions.