Osmania University B.Tech student dies by suicide on campus; no academic pressure, says university

Hyderabad: A second-year B.Tech student at Osmania University allegedly died by suicide on the varsity campus on Monday night, triggering grief and concern across the academic community.

The student was found hanging from a tree near a hostel on the university premises. He was immediately shifted to Gandhi Hospital after police were alerted, but doctors declared him dead during treatment.

Student identified

The deceased was identified as Reddy Vignan Tej (20), a second-year Mining Engineering student at the University College of Engineering (UCE), Osmania University. A native of Huzurabad, he had been residing in the OU hostel. The incident occurred at the OU Oxygen Park.

Distress message found on phone

Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the student had sent a message to himself on an instant messaging app referring to an incident in his native village. He was allegedly severely reprimanded by his parents following the incident.

In the message, he reportedly stated that his parents had asked him not to stay in the village and allegedly made remarks suggesting he should end his life if he did not change his behaviour. He also expressed that his family was not concerned about him and that he wished to die, police said.

No academic pressure, says university

Osmania University Registrar Prof. G Naresh Reddy said Vignan Tej was a diligent student who had secured admission through lateral entry after completing polytechnic education.

“There were no academic, attendance, or disciplinary issues against the student,” he said.

The university’s preliminary assessment indicates that the incident was likely triggered by personal, non-academic reasons, though the final conclusion would depend on the police investigation.

Top officials visit hospital

Following the incident, senior university officials, including Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kumar Molugaram, Registrar Prof. G Naresh Reddy, OSD to the VC Prof. S Jithendra Kumar Naik, UCE Principal Prof. P Chandrashekar, Vice-Principal Prof. Mangu, along with the Additional Warden and Mining Department faculty, visited Gandhi Hospital and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

VC’s appeal to students

In a message to the student community, VC Prof. Kumar Molugaram emphasised the sanctity of life and the need to seek emotional support.

“Life is precious, and no problem is insurmountable. Death is not a solution to challenges in life,” he said, urging students to develop emotional resilience and reach out for help when in distress.

He also reminded students about the availability of ‘Sahayam’, the university’s Psychological Counselling Centre, which offers confidential mental health support.

Case registered; probe on

OU Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the student’s death.