A student from Hyderabad pursuing BTech at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala allegedly committed suicide on Friday by hanging himself in his hostel room.
The student, identified as Eguri Praneeth, was doing his third year in aerospace engineering. On Friday, he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during his semester exam by the invigilator. He was then taken to the administration block, where the Registrar allegedly pressured him into writing a letter on why he had indulged in the malpractice, according to a student.
Later that day, at around 3 pm, he was found hanging in his hostel room by fellow students.
“Praneeth was allegedly caught with a phone. So he was taken to the admin block. We didn’t know that he was forced to write a letter. The administration has now given the letter to the Valiyamala police. This means that Praneeth was harassed and humiliated, which forced him to take his own life,” a student told TNM on condition of anonymity.
A senior police official from Valiyamala told TNM that the student committed suicide somewhere between 12.30 pm and 2.45 pm. He said that it was fellow students who took the body to the hospital.
TNM tried contacting the registrar of the institute, A Chandrasekhar. However, despite numerous attempts, the calls remained unanswered.
According to the students, Praneeth’s body was handed over to his parents after the post mortem was conducted.
Meanwhile, a few students from the institute submitted a letter to the Kerala Youth Commission accusing the administration of causing mental agony to Praneeth and to investigate his death.
Speaking to TNM, Kerala Youth Commission Chairperson Chinta Jerome said, “We have received a complaint from the students. After going through the complaint, we have come to understand that it is a serious issue. We will ask for a detailed report from the local police and then take an action.”
Those in need of counselling can contact Roshni, a suicide helpline operational every day from 11 am to 9 pm. Roshni can be reached at 040 66202000/2001.