Mystery shrouds death of IIIT Basar student; university rules out suicide

Hyderabad: A first-year PUC (pre-university course) student of Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), popularly known as IIIT Basar campus in the Nirmal district of Telangana, slipped to death on the campus on Thursday.

Hailing from the Siddipet district, she returned to the hostel just a week ago after writing an exam. Her parents are earning a livelihood from Mirchi Bandi.

The student suffered critical injuries after falling from the fourth floor of the hostel. She was rushed to Bhainsa Hospital for treatment. Later she was transferred to Nirmal Government Hospital. However, she was declared dead on arrival.

The circumstances surrounding the student's death remain unclear. Some reports said she accidentally fell off the building. However rumors are that she might have ended her life.

IIIT Basar vice chancellor Prof V Venkata Ramana stated that all the rumors are baseless. Speaking to News Meter, VC said, "It is an accidental death, and we are still in the hospital, waiting for the postmortem report,"

Police said they are investigating whether this incident was a suicide or an accidental fall. Police are actively working to determine whether it was a suicide or an accident.

This is the second death on the campus in two days. A first-year PUC student from Sangareddy district ended her life on campus. Earlier in the day, the student wrote her physics exam and returned to her hostel. Even after hours, she did not come out of the bathroom. According to the police, the reason for her extreme step is yet to be known. A case has been registered.

Earlier incidents

August 2022: A first-year civil engineering student of IIIT Basar allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room. The 19-year-old student was a native of Dichaplly of neighboring Nizamabad. Students after his death boycotted classes alleging laxity on the varsity as an ambulance failed to reach the campus on time.

December 2022: A 17-year-old PUC-second year student died by suicide in the hostel room. Parents then demanded that the state government should order an inquiry into the death, and stern action against the officials if they are found guilty.

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 3,600 students died by suicide from 2014 to 2021 in Telangana. Reports say that in the last 8-10 years, the stress in adolescents has risen due to the study pattern, family issues, and the easy availability of intoxicants.

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