CHENNAI: A 19-year-old student who was detained by the police during the drug raid in Potheri last week died by suicide on Wednesday.
Srinivas Nikal of Andhra Pradesh, a student at a private college in Potheri, was staying in an apartment near the college.
Last week, the Tambaram city police conducted massive raids at men’s and women’s hostels, and houses they stay on rent, in Potheri and Kattankulathur, and seized ganja, ganja chocolates, ganja oil, bhang, a smoking pot, hookah machines, and hookah powder.
20 students, including Srinivas, were detained at the police station and were later let off with a warning.
After the incident, Srinivas appeared dejected, did not leave his room, and skipped classes. Police said the boy also avoided meeting or talking to his friends. On Tuesday night, he jumped from the fourth floor of the hostel building.
Onlookers rushed Srinivas to a private hospital in Potheri where he died without responding to treatment on Wednesday morning.
The Maraimalai Nagar police sent the boy's body for autopsy to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital and have registered a case.
Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call --- Sneha, Chennai: 91-44-2464 0050, 91-44-2464 0060; Maithri, Cochin: +91 239 6272; Sumaitri, New Delhi: 2338 9090; Aasra, Mumbai: 9820466726; Fortis MentalHealth: 8376804102.