Another HCU scholar ends his life

Hyderabad: A PhD scholar of the University of Hyderabad allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison in his campus hostel room on Sunday morning. Police said that the student, Madari Venkatesh, 26, consumed ‘Rat Kill’ and ammonium sulphate in the early hours of the morning.

Students from the next room smelt a foul smell coming from Venkatesh’s room at around 7 am. When they opened the door, which was not locked from the inside, they found him lying on the floor. He had vomited heavily and was unconscious. A 108 ambulance was called and he was rushed to a private hospital in Gachibowli, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

His family and friends allege that Venkatesh was not provided a research guide and a laboratory for the last seven months, and he was depressed about his career. Scores of students gathered at the administrative block of the university on Sunday and protested against the negligence of the authorities.

Venkatesh, a resident of Ibrahimpatnam, was a third year PhD student of the Advanced Centre of Research in High Energy Materials (ACRHEM). His research was halted after his research supervisor retired.

“He was depressed in the last few months since he did not have a guide for his research. He had repeatedly approached the authorities concerned to provide a guide, so that he could take forward his research. However, the university authorities rejected his plea, which resulted in this extreme step,” alleged a friend of Venkatesh from UoH M.K. Premkumar.

Relatives of Venkatesh have lodged a complaint at the Chandanagar police station, seeking action against officials responsible for his death. “We were told he was depressed with the response of authorities about his research. Today it came as a shock that my brother ended his life. We want justice and action against those responsible,” said brother of Venkatesh M. Raju.

Next: HCU appoints panel to probe suicide

HCU appoints panel to probe suicide

Hyderabad: University of Hyderabad vice-chancellor Ramakrishna Ramaswami said that Madari Venkatesh, the PhD student of the Advanced Centre of Research in High Energy Materials (ACRHEM) who committed suicide on Sunday, was about to be provided a guide in a few days.

“After retirement of his previous guide, a new director took charge at ACRHEM, and he was about to finish the formalities to provide a guide for Venkatesh. However, it got little delayed,” said Ramaswami.

The students alleged that Venkatesh, who has published three research papers in world reputed journals, lost hope and was unable to go ahead with the research, and that is why he ended his life Chandanagar police have booked a case under CrPc 174 (police to inquire and report on suicide) and started an investigation, said Inspector of Police N. Vasu.