Former NITI Aayog Employee, Pursuing PhD In London, Dies In Tragic Accident

The news of Kochhar's death was shared by former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

Cheistha Kochhar, who was pursuing a PhD in Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics (LSE), had previously worked at NITI Aayog.

Source : X/@amitabhk87

A tragic incident took place in London last week, where an Indian student, identified as 33-year-old Cheistha Kochhar, lost her life after being hit by a truck. Kochhar, who was pursuing a PhD in Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics (LSE), had previously worked at NITI Aayog. She was the daughter of retired Lieutenant General Dr SP Kochhar, who serves as the Director General at the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The news of Kochhar's passing was shared by former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

"Cheistha Kochar worked with me on the #LIFE programme in @NITIAayog. She was in the #Nudge unit and had gone to do her Ph.D in behavioural science at #LSE. Passed away in a terrible traffic incident while cycling in London. She was bright, brilliant & brave and always full of life. Gone away too early. RIP," he said on X. 

Cheistha Kochar worked with me on the #LIFE programme in @NITIAayog She was in the #Nudge unit and had gone to do her Ph.D in behavioural science at #LSE
Passed away in a terrible traffic incident while cycling in London. She was bright, brilliant & brave and always full of… pic.twitter.com/7WyyklhsTA

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) March 23, 2024

On March 19, Cheistha Kochar tragically was hit by a garbage truck while cycling home, succumbing to her injuries despite the immediate efforts of her husband Prashant, who was cycling ahead at the time of the accident and rushed her to the hospital. Her father, retired Lieutenant General Dr SP Kochhar, penned an emotional tribute to his daughter on LinkedIn, reminiscing about her life.

“I am still in London trying to collect the remains of my daughter, Cheistha Kochhar. She was run over by a truck on 19 Mar while cycling back from LSE, where she was doing her PhD. It has devastated us and her large circle of friends," he wrote.

Before moving to London in September 2023, Cheistha Kochchar lived in Gurugram, Haryana. Prior to her enrollment at the London School of Economics (LSE), she pursued her academic endeavours at Delhi University, Ashoka University, and the Universities of Pennsylvania and Chicago.