A 20-year-old BTech student was found dead inside his hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras on Friday, April 21. Kedar Suresh, a native of Madhya Pradesh, was staying at the Cauvery hostel of the institute. Upon finding his door locked from the inside and failing to get a response from him, his hostel mates alerted the warden who called the police.
Kotturpuram police have registered a case and a probe is underway. The body has been sent for an autopsy. Police suspect that it's a case of suicide.
IIT Madras has issued a statement expressing condolence over the death. “We are deeply anguished to convey the untimely passing away of an undergraduate student from the Chemical Engineering Department in the afternoon of 21 April 2023 in his hostel room. The Institute has lost one of its own, and the professional community has lost a good student. The reason for the demise is unknown. Police are investigating. The parents have been informed. The Institute expresses its heartfelt condolence and shares the grief of the friends and family of the deceased student. The Institute requests everyone to respect the privacy of the student's family at this difficult juncture. IIT Madras is taking all possible measures to proactively identify and help students under stress. We will continue to keep strengthening these measures. May the departed soul rest in peace,” the statement read.
This is the fourth case of suicide reported from IIT Madras since February this year. On February 13, Steven, a second-year research scholar in the Electrical Engineering department hailing from Maharashtra, was found dead. On March 14, Vaipu Pushpak Sri Sai (23), a third-year Electrical Engineering student from Andhra Pradesh, died by suicide in his hostel room. On March 31, Sachin Kumar Jain (31) from West Bengal was found dead in his house at Velachery. He had reportedly posted a WhatsApp status saying, “I am sorry, not good enough”.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.