Burnt body of 22-year-old engineer found at IIT Madras; Suicide note retrieved

The partially burnt body of a 22-year-old engineer was found inside the IIT Madras campus on Thursday night. The Kotturpuram police rushed to the spot after being informed and the young man’s body was sent to the Royapettah Government Hospital for post mortem.

The research scholar reportedly worked as a project associate at IIT Madras and the police suspect he could have died by suicide as a 11-page suicide note was retrieved from his room. A sports officer had spotted the body on Thursday night near the hockey ground and alerted the police immediately. A police official was reportedly quoted as saying, “The man has been identified as Unnikrishnan. He was on a project associate at IIT Madras. He has left a note saying he was unable to cope with work.” A case has been registered under section 174 CrPC and the police are currently investigating the matter.

In an official statement today, IIT Madras said, “An unfortunate and tragic incident occurred yesterday at IIT Madras Campus, involving a temporary project staff. The project staff whose body was found had joined the Institute in April 2021 and was living outside the campus. We are shocked and deeply grieved, and convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the departed soul.”