India, Oct. 14 -- In an administrative crackdown following prolonged student protests at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Ranchi (IIIT-Ranchi) after the alleged suicide of a first-year student on Saturday night, the Union ministry of education sent the institute's Director, Rajiv Srivastava, on a 30-day leave with immediate effect, people aware of the development said on Wednesday.

The development comes a day after the ministry instituted a three-member panel to look into issues related to the institution and the students' demands.

To resolve the administrative deadlock, Prof. V. M. S. R. Murthy, the current Director of IIEST Shibpur, has been given the additional charge as the Officiating Director of IIIT Ranchi.

Prof. ...