Probe at top university reveals students taking drugs

In what has come as a shocker for the administration of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology—Kanpur (IIT-K), an internal inquiry has revealed that some of its students have been involved in the consumption of various kinds of drugs. 

The inquiry was conducted after specific information was received and, according to sources, the IIT-K administration came to learn about more than 20 students who were found involved in consuming drugs and prohibited medicines. 

Some of these drugs include Surti (tobacco), smack, Charas (Cannabis), and Ganja (Hemp). Sources told Mail Today that these drugs are easily available at the roadside paan shops and tea shops near the gates of the institute. 

Sources added that some private security guards and fourth-class employees of the prestigious institute are also involved in the supply of drugs and prohibited medicines to the students.

In order to keep a check on the menace, the IIT-K administration has pasted posters in the hostels to spread awareness among the students. It is also planning to hold counselling sessions for the budding engineers. 

Concerned about a rise in the drug menace on campus, the college administration also held a meeting with the district magistrate and the SSP of the Kanpur to find a solution. 

‘We are also planning to hold counselling sessions for the students to make them aware of the negative effects of such things on their health,’ said the director, Manindra Agarwal

‘Our security guards frisk all the visitors and no one is allowed to come inside the campus without a proper check,’ IIT-K director Manindra Agarwal told a press conference.

‘However, there is a locality called Nankari. The approaching road to it passes through our campus and it is always open. It is possible that peddlers are using this route and we are preparing to close it and arrange for another passage for residents.

‘We do not want outsiders to access hostels and therefore have decided to provide a separate passage to the locals of Nankari and Barasirhoi villages to reach their destinations instead of passing through the main entrance of the institute,’ Agarwal said.

‘We are also planning to hold counselling sessions for the students to make them aware of the negative effects of such things on their health and their future,’ he added. 

Police are continuing their investigations at the site

According to sources, the police also have specific inputs about those involved in supplying drugs to students. 

A huge quantity of hemp was recovered from a private security guard who works at the institute, and was arrested by the Kalyanpur police about two months ago, after a tip-off.

The police have also passed some information to the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU).

DM Kanpur Surendra Singh said: ‘A team of the LIU has been given the task to investigate the menace and we hope that they will come up with some positive results.’  

The local police have also been asked to keep a presence in and around the campus while also keeping an eye on those who were apprehended earlier for their involvement in drug peddling, he added.