IIT Madras Student Found Dead, Fourth Suspected Suicide This Year

A student was found dead in a hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai today, the police said, adding they suspect it to be a case of death by suicide.

The second-year student from Maharashtra was pursuing Chemical Engineering, the police said.

If the police confirm suicide later after investigation, it would be the fourth case in IIT-Madras this year.

IIT-Madras in a statement said it is "deeply anguished" to convey the "untimely death" of an undergraduate student.

"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," IIT-Madras said.

"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," it said.

Earlier this month, a 32-year-old PhD student of IIT-Madras died by suicide in his room. He was from West Bengal.

Before that, in March, a third-year student died by suicide at the same campus. He was 20 years old and a resident of Andhra Pradesh.

In February, a research scholar from Maharashtra died by suicide at IIT-Madras.