Guest lecturer found dead at IIT Chennai campus

A guest lecturer-cum-research scholar at IIT Madras was found inside the campus on Friday morning. Kotturpuram Police rushed to the spot and sent the body to Government Royapettah Hospital for autopsy, reported news agency ANI.

Also Read: Saw full family die off: Wrongfully convicted man freed after 32 years

According to TOI, a charred body was recovered from the hockey stadium located on the campus. 

The deceased, who is identified as Unni Krishnan Nair, returned to the campus on Thursday morning from Kerala. His father works with the Indian Space Research Organisation, TOI reported.

A police official said that an 11-page suicide note was retrieved from his room. According to the note, he ‘was unable to cope with work’.

“He decided to end his life abruptly, probably he was depressed, and did not blame anyone in particular in the suicide note,” an official involved in the probe said.

“From the scene of crime it appears to be a case of suicide,” a senior police official said.

The skin of the victim’s face and some other parts were partially burnt, Kottupuram police said in a statement. They have also added that no suspicious material was found near the body.

However, inflammable material found at the scene had been sent for testing.

Meanwhile, IIT-Madras has also issued a statement on the researcher’s death.

“An unfortunate and tragic incident occurred (Thursday) 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,” the statement read.

“We are shocked and deeply grieved, and convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the departed soul. The police are investigating the incident and the Institute is fully cooperating with the authorities,” the statement furthersaid.