Bengaluru: Second IISc student suicide in 15 days as 22-yr-old dies in hostel

A 22-year-old first-year MTech student allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, on Thursday, police said, in the second such incident at the institute in 15 days.

The student was pursuing MTech in the Department of Computer Science and Automation (CSA). He had been staying at the institute’s Krithika hostel since August 3, when the new academic session for postgraduate programmes began.

The IISc administration did not respond to HT’s queries seeking comment.

In a condolence message to the IISc community, registrar Prof D Nagesh Kumar said the institute was “extremely saddened” by the student’s death on August 20 and expressed condolences to his family and friends.

“We are committed to ensuring that the IISc campus is a safe and inclusive space for everyone,” Kumar said, while urging students and other members of the campus community experiencing emotional distress to use the mental health support services available through the institute’s Wellness Centre.

These include a 24×7 emergency counselling helpline, online counselling, and consultations with counsellors and psychiatrists, the registrar said.

A spokesperson for Sadashivanagar police station said a UDR (Unnatural Death Report) had been registered. “We have sent the body for post-mortem and informed the family. Further investigation is underway,” the spokesperson said on Friday.

The latest incident comes 15 days after the death of 19-year-old, a second-year BTech student, who allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room on August 6. He was a resident of Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura district.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.

Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000; ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290