An 18-year-old computer science student of KIIT Deemed to be University in Bhubaneshwar was found dead inside his hostel room on Sunday night, in what police suspect is a case of suicide.
The boy’s mother, a resident of Raipur, has accused a girl from Chhattisgarh and her family of harassing and threatening her son, claiming that the pressure pushed him to take his own life, The Times of India reported.
Based on her complaint, Infocity police have registered a case and begun an investigation. Officials said this is the third such incident reported on the KIIT campus this year, after the deaths of two Nepalese students in February and May, which had earlier drawn attention from the Nepal government.
According to the police, preliminary information suggests that the student was in a friendship or personal relationship with the girl, who is currently studying in Maharashtra, the report said.
“Statements from hostel inmates, an analysis of social media activity and digital communication, and information shared by the mother and relatives suggest that the student was in touch with a girl from Chhattisgarh. Based on this, we have registered a case against her and started further investigation,” city police said in a statement.
The incident came to light when the student’s roommates returned to the hostel around 10.30 pm and found the room locked from inside. After repeated knocking and phone calls failed to get any response, they alerted the hostel authorities, who informed the police at around 10.45 pm.
Police arrived at the scene and broke open the door in the presence of officials, with the entire process being recorded on video. Initial findings indicate that the student may have taken the extreme step due to personal issues. Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena said that, so far, there was no immediate evidence of foul play.
However, officers did not confirm whether a suicide note was recovered from the room. ACP (Zone-VI) Sonali Singh Parmar, along with senior police officers, visited the spot, questioned students and staff, and collected evidence. The student’s phone and laptop were seized for examination and the room was sealed until the parents arrived on Monday afternoon.
In a written statement, the KIIT management said the student’s death was deeply tragic. “According to the mother, the incident is linked to personal relationship issues. The growing number of suicides in educational institutions is a serious concern and needs collective attention,” the statement said. KIIT also confirmed that it is extending full cooperation to police in the ongoing investigation.
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