In a tragic incident, a student from the Sri Chaitanya College campus in Vijayawada's Edupugallu suburb committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling fan in her room.
The deceased, identified as 18-year-old R Chandra Nagamani from Anantapur district, was reported to be taking long-term coaching for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET).
The body was shifted to the Government General Hospital for a post-morterm, and her family was informed of the incident.
Speaking to The Hindu, the Kankipadu police said, “The deceased joined the college five months ago. She reportedly went upstairs and hanged to the ceiling in a vacant classroom during lunch break."
Nagamani also reportedly left a suicide note behind, which was handed to the police.
Following a protest by students, who demanded strict action against the college management, the Collector reportedly ordered a magisterial inquiry and has ordered Joint Collector Vijay Krishnan to look into the matter.
Last month, citing a letter written by a social activist, the Hyderabad High Court admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the increase of student suicides in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The court was responding to Dasari Emmanuel, Prakasam district co-convener of the Lok Satta Agitation Society, who alleged that one of the main offenders, Narayana Junior College, was owned by a cabinet Minister from Andhra.
He also claimed that 10 students had killed themselves in the recent past from Narayana and the Sri Chaitanya group of institutions.
Besides issuing summons to the chief secretaries of both the states, along with other officials, the court also marked the directors of Sri Chaitanya and Narayana colleges as respondents.
Sri Chaitanya and Narayana, two major institutes that provide Intermediate education, are often known to be notorious for the harsh conditions that they put students through.
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.