IIT Student Dies After Tablet Gets Stuck in Throat

A heartbreaking incident occurred at the IIT Kharagpur on the night of July 21, 2025, when a second-year electrical engineering student, Chandradeep Pawar, passed away after choking on a tablet. The 20-year-old student, originally from Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, was reportedly taking medication after dinner at his hostel when he began to struggle to breathe.

Sudden Medical Emergency

According to his friends, Chandradeep experienced a sudden onset of shortness of breath right after swallowing the tablet. As his condition quickly deteriorated, his roommates rushed him to the BC Roy Technology Hospital, the institute’s medical facility.
During the journey, the student lost consciousness. Upon arrival at the emergency room at 10:20 PM, his condition was already critical. Medical staff noted he had no pulse, unrecordable blood pressure, and bluish discolouration of the skin (cyanosis), a sign of severe oxygen deprivation.

Intensive Resuscitation Efforts

The hospital’s medical bulletin reported that CPR was started immediately. He was treated by the on-duty doctor along with three senior physicians. Advanced emergency measures, including the administration of life-saving medications, were promptly undertaken.
Doctors also intubated the patient, inserting a breathing tube to open the airway. During this process, they were able to dislodge a fragment of the tablet that had become stuck in his bronchus.
However, despite continuous efforts, no cardiac activity could be restored. An ECG confirmed asystole, a condition where the heart has stopped all electrical activity. He was officially declared dead at 11:05 PM.

Official Investigation Underway

After the incident, IIT Kharagpur has set up a 10-member fact-finding committee to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. The student’s family has been informed, and the body has been sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Choking on Medication

While choking on food is more commonly discussed, choking on tablets is a real and often overlooked risk. If a pill is swallowed incorrectly, it may enter the windpipe instead of the food pipe, potentially blocking airflow. This can cause suffocation within minutes if not quickly resolved.

Certain types of tablets, especially large, coated, or dry ones, are more likely to get stuck. This tragedy highlights the need for careful medication practices, such as sitting upright, using water, and not swallowing in haste.

Conclusion

Chandradeep’s death is a devastating loss, not just to his family and friends but to the entire academic community.
Though such cases are rare, they underline the importance of basic emergency training among students and staff, particularly in residential campuses. First-aid knowledge, quick recognition of choking symptoms, and having protocols in place can make a crucial difference in outcomes.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.