IIT-Madras PhD Scholar's Body Found Hanging In Chennai House. Police Say He Was From Bengal

The body of a PhD scholar of IIT-Madras was found hanging at his residence in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

In yet another incident of the death of a student, the body of a PhD research scholar from Mechanical Engineering Department at IIT-Madras was found hanging at his residence at Velachery in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on March 31, reported ANI citing Chennai police. As per the report, the deceased has been identified as Sachin Kumar Jain and was a native of West Bengal.

The 32-year-old student’s death is the third incident of suicide reported from IIT Madras this year and the 11th case since 2018, reported ANI. 

As per police, ANI mentioned, "On March 31, the deceased student posted a WhatsApp status 'I am sorry not good Enough'. Seeing the status, his friends reached his home and found Sachin hanging in his room. An ambulance was called and he was pronounced dead on examination. Further investigation is underway." 

The police have taken the body into custody and sent it for post-mortem to Royapet Government Hospital. 

Meanwhile, IIT Madras has also issued a statement expressing grief over the death. 

The premier institute said, "We are deeply anguished to convey the untimely passing away of a PhD Research scholar from the Mechanical Engineering Department on the afternoon of 31st March 2023 at his residence at Velachery, Chennai. A student with an exemplary academic and research record is a big loss to the research community." 

"The Institute expresses its heartfelt condolences and shares the grief of the friends and family of the deceased student. The Institute requests everyone respect the privacy of the student's family at this difficult juncture. May the departed soul rest in peace", the IIT added. 

Several cases of IIT students dying by suicide have come forth in recent times. In a similar case on March 14, a third-year BTech student died by suicide at the Madras IIT Campus. He also hanged himself till death. The deceased was identified as Vaipu Pushpak Sree Sai (20), a native of Andhra Pradesh. 

As a result, Kotturpuram Police registered a case on the matter and further investigation is still underway. 

In another case, a research scholar from Maharashtra hanged himself in a room inside the IIT campuson February 14.