A 21-year-old student of SRM University in Chennai’s Kattankalathur committed suicide by jumping off a building in the college on Monday. His decision to take his life allegedly came after the college withheld his scores in recent exams as he was allegedly caught cheating during a test. 

No suicide note has been recovered. 

According to the police, Sai Nitin was pursuing his final year of mechanical engineering at SRM University. He hailed from Andhra Pradesh. In November, when the examinations were taking place, a supervisor allegedly caught him with a piece of paper containing answers. Following this, his scores were withheld and parents were informed about the same on Monday. 

"After his parents were informed, he felt humiliated and took his own life," says an investigating officer. "He jumped off the building at around 3pm," he adds. 

Santhosh Haidmeni, the Kancheepuram Superintendent of Police tells TNM that the college then informed the family about their ward's death. "He was caught cheating in November. But after his family was informed recently they have questioned him about this and he then committed suicide," says the officer. He, however, adds, "As of now, there is no complaint against the institution." 

In November last year, violence broke out at Chennai’s Sathyabama University after a first-year student committed suicide. Ragamonika, who was also from Andhra Pradesh, allegedly killed herself after she was humiliated by a professor for copying in an examination. After she was sent out of the examination hall, Ragamonika took her own life in her hostel room.

Following her death, the college campus witnessed arson with students burning trees, mattresses and furniture. According to reports, more than 300 students protested, with several indulging in violence.

Around 200 police personnel were present on the campus to help quell the unrest, while armed police were deployed outside Sathyabama University.