A 22-year-old architecture student has died by suicide in Bengaluru. The incident took place at the student’s home in the Nandaramayyan Palya area on July 11. Initial reports suggest that the student, studying at a private engineering college, may have been suffering from mental duress due to alleged ragging and harassment.
The deceased, Arun, was in his final year of the Architecture program. He had obtained a free seat at the college due to his academic achievements. Arun was from Hassan district and his family had limited financial resources; his parents worked as daily wage laborers. In addition to his studies, Arun was an accomplished portrait painter.
Arun was alone at the time of the incident as his parents were at work. Before his death, he made a video in which he discussed his mental state and alleged that some classmates were speaking badly about him, which caused him distress. He also mentioned instances of ragging in the video.
The video was shared within a college WhatsApp group. The college administration was alerted and informed Arun’s family, but they arrived at his home after he had already died by suicide.
The police have initiated an inquiry and are treating the case as an unnatural death. They are awaiting a formal complaint from the family to proceed with the investigation.