Visakhapatnam: The 16-year-old Kolkata student committed suicide and there is no foul play as suspected, Visakhapatnam police said on Tuesday.
Death of Riti Saha after a fall from her hostel building under Fourth-Town police station in Vizag city on July 14 had sparked a row after her parents alleged murder and filed a writ petition in AP High Court. They alleged police inaction in collecting CCTV footage and other evidence from the hostel and hospital.
Riti Saha, a native of Kolkata city, had enrolled in the coaching institute Aakash Byjus in Vizag city in May 2022. She had been doing her plus-II and preparing for NEET at the institute. She stayed at Saadhana ladies’ hostel at Dondaparthi in Vizag city, sharing a room with five others.
A senior police officer said preliminary investigation revealed that it had been a case of suicide, as they did not find any evidence of murder. The girl fell from the terrace of the hostel on July 14 night. While undergoing treatment at a corporate hospital, she died on July 16 due to traumatic brain injury and hypovolemic shock and polytrauma. The CCTV footage showed that at the time of her fall from the terrace, the girl had been alone at the spot.
Police said they are waiting for the Forensic Science Laboratory report before intensifying their investigation into the case. There is need to verify whether she committed suicide because of academic pressure or personal reasons, police added.
AP High Court has appointed a court commissioner to collect footage and other evidence in the girl’s death case. The commissioner said the case has been mishandled. However, the family of Riti has alleged that all evidence has been destroyed.
The police and court commissioner will submit a report to the High Court soon.
