CHENNAI: A first-year student of private engineering college near Chennai died by suicide at his hostel on Thursday night. The deceased was identified as Abrin Rafiq (19), a native of Kerala, pursuing AI Engineering.

Police sources said the student had been barred from appearing for the semester exam due to insufficient attendance and his alleged involvement in academic malpractices. Rafiq was later found dead in the hostel building inside the campus.

The incident was reported to the police, following which his parents, who are working in Kerala, were informed. The body was sent to the Chengalpattu GH for post-mortem.