Another IISc student ends life on campus
Bengaluru: A 26-year-old student of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) was found hanging in his hostel room on the campus, in the second such incident in two months.
K V Pavan Kumar, a native of Andhra Pradesh, was pursuing final year PhD from the Centre for High Energy Physics.
According to police, Kumar was incommunicado since Wednesday. The incident came to light on Friday when his friends tried reaching him and found his room locked.
He is suspected to have killed himself on Wednesday. The police said Kumar had spoken to his father before he went incommunicado.
“He had not attended any classes. He did not take any calls either. He was found hanging on Friday,” said the police.
Students have individual accommodations and hence such incidents don’t come to light immediately. A similar case was reported from the premier science institute in May when Ameya Manoj, a student from Nagpur, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room.
‘Family issues’
Pavan Kumar left behind a suicide note in which he cited family issues as the reason. He, however, thanked his parents and sister in the message.
Kumar, who had a special interest in black holes and quantum gravity, is remembered by fellow students for quality publications. “His work is certainly proof that he was no ordinary student,” said one of his friends.
His family has been informed. The postmortem is being conducted at M S Ramaiah Hospital in Bengaluru.
“There is a need to offer better counselling to students. Some are also under pressure to perform. It’s very different from just having to study and ace exams,” said another student.
“The institute will facilitate all formalities and in reaching the mortal remains to his native place. The Institute expresses its condolences to the bereaved family. A condolence meeting will be held in front of the main building at 11 am on Monday, July 22,” read an official note from the IISc.