After IIT Bombay, student from Maharashtra dies by suicide at IIT Madras; classes cancelled after protest

Chennai: A second-year MS scholar at IIT Madras reportedly hung himself inside his hostel room at the college campus in Tharamani on Monday, February 13. The deceased has been identified as Stephen Sunny, who hailed from Maharashtra as per media reports.

The cause behind this extreme move is still unknown. Sources speculate that the suicide was caused by extreme stress.

A police case has been registered and probe is underway.

Nearly hundred gathered on campus for a sit-in protest while asking the institute to take responsibility for what happened to the student, tweeted ChintaBAR, a student body at IIT Madras.

The protest went on till morning after which the institute cancelled classes for a day.

IIT Madras issues official statement

Issuing an official statement after the incident, IIT Madras stated:

'It is with deep shock and agony that IIT Madras conveys the tragic and untimely passing away of a second year MS Research Scholar of Electrical Engineering department on 13.02.2023.

The Institute expresses its sincere condolences and stands united in grief along with the friends and family of the deceased student.

The Institute endeavours and assures to improve and sustain the well-being of the students/scholars, faculty and staff on campus while constantly evaluating the various support systems in place.

The parents of the student have reached Chennai and we request everyone to please respect the privacy of the family at this unfortunate moment.

May the departed soul rest in peace."

The news from IIT Madras comes in two days after the report of an 18-year-old IIT Bombay student who committed suicide by jumping off the seventh floor of his hostel building.

This is a developing story. Further details are awaited.

(With inputs from ANI)