SFI demands fair probe into IIT Madras student's alleged suicide

The Students Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest outside the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, on Thursday demanding a fair investigation in the case of Fathima Latheef's death. Fathima had allegedly committed suicide on November 8. Speaking to the media, one of the protestors alleged that this was the fifth suicide in the campus since last year and that professors have also committed suicide in the past.

"The management has not conducted any investigation and informed the family of the victim that the suicide was caused due to physical illness. However, the fact is that the victim left a suicide note in her phone, where he has accused a teaching staff", he alleged.

Case taken over by Central Crime Branch

Meanwhile, Chennai Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan said that the case has been handed over to the Central Crime Branch for investigation. Speaking to reporters, he also claimed that he has personally visited the spot of the suicide and examination of several individuals was carried out. "A team will be formed which will be headed by Additional Commissioner and few senior officers to give a better focus and attention considering the sensitivity of the case," apprised AK Viswanathan.

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Suicide case

Fathima Latheef, an 18-year-old girl from Kerala pursuing her first-year undergraduate course in the humanities stream at IIT Madras committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan in her Sarayu hostel room, police said on November 9. The student, who was last seen on the night of November 8 by other hostel inmates, did not answer calls from her mother in the morning, a police official said. "The girl's mother later called one of the hostel inmates and requested to look for her daughter," said an official adding that the student, along with others, went to check her room and found her hanging from the ceiling fan. The inmates broke open the door and informed the police, who removed the body to the Government Royapettah Hospital. The student's family in Kollam was also informed.

A statement from IIT Madras said: "It is with deep grief and sadness that IIT Madras has to inform the passing away of a first-year undergraduate student of Humanities and Social Sciences Department". Following the incident, the police, in its primary investigation had revealed that Fatima was separated from her family for the first time and had scored fewer marks in her internal exam. The police said no suicide note was found.

(With agency inputs)

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