Missing IIT Kanpur student returns to campus

The IIT student, who allegedly went missing from the campus after he failed to clear a group discussion as part of placement process, went to Haridwar for "finding peace" and has returned to the campus. 

Naveen Kumar Jha, a second year student of M Tech, was reported to be missing since Monday by the IIT administration. But he returned yesterday and said that he had gone to Haridwar to "find peace" as he was disappointed after he failed in the placement process. 

A K Ghosh, dean of students welfare, said the administration will not take any disciplinary action against Jha and he is being counselled by counsellors at IIT. 

Ghosh said the process of campus placements was underway and Naveen appeared in a company's group discussion but did not clear it. 

"On Monday night, when the hostel warden went for a routine round, he found the door of Naveen's room open and his mobile, laptop and ATM card on his bed. The warden thought he might have gone out somewhere," he said. 

However, when he did not return till yesterday morning, the warden enquired from his friends, who said he was disappointed after the group discussion and was not talking to anyone, Ghosh said. 

A missing persons' complaint was registered last night and his brother was also informed. "We were hopeful that he will come back soon as the placement process is not yet over and he is expected to get a good offer," Ghosh said. 

Police had formed a team to look for Naveen and the possibility of him committing suicide due to disappointment was also being probed.