IIM-B Student Found Dead in Hostel After Birthday Celebration, Day Before Starting New Job

Bangalore (The Uttam Hindu): A tragic incident unfolded at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B) as a student was found dead on the hostel premises early Sunday morning, hours after celebrating his 29th birthday with friends. Nilay Kailashbhai Patel, a second-year Post-Graduate Programme (PGP) student from Surat was discovered unconscious on the hostel lawn around 6:30 a.m. by security guards. Despite immediate medical attention, including CPR, he was declared brought dead at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.

Patel, an alumnus of Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) Surat, had completed his BTech in computer engineering in 2019 and worked with OYO for over three years before joining IIM-Bangalore. Known for his technical expertise and achievements, he was part of the national runners-up team in the BCG ReDesign Case competition. He had recently secured a placement with a fashion e-commerce company and was set to begin work on Monday.

Preliminary investigations by Mico Layout police suggest Patel may have accidentally fallen from his second-floor hostel balcony while returning to his room after the birthday celebration. The body had bruises but no major external injuries and no signs of suicide were found. Patel’s friends, who had invited him for a midnight celebration, said he left their room to return to his own but were unaware of what happened next. The exact cause and time of death will be determined by the post-mortem report.

IIM-Bangalore expressed its condolences, stating, “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.” Patel's parents in Gujarat have been informed and further investigation will follow upon their arrival.