Engineering student leaps to death on campus

The student, S Majesty Sai Nikkin (21) from Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, reportedly took the extreme step after he felt humiliated, said police, though his fellow students alleged it was also triggered by the university administration allegedly slapping a fine of Rs 10,000 on him. 

After he was reportedly caught copying in an examination, Nikkin, a mechanical engineering student, was taken to the principal. The latter informed Nikkin’s father, Sreenivasulu Rao, about the incident. The father was also told about the six arrear papers that the boy had to clear, police said. Dejected over the turn of events, he jumped from the third floor of the mechanical engineering department building at 5.30 pm on Monday.

Nikkin was rushed to SRM hospital, but the injuries he suffered were fatal; the boy died about an hour later, police said. His body was kept in the hospital overnight and was sent to Chengalpattu government hospital for post-mortem examination on Tuesday morning. 

While Maraimalar Nagar police said Nikkin committed suicide after his parents were informed about the six arrear papers, students told the media that he was asked to pay a fine Rs 10,000. Rao, who came to Chennai after being informed by the university administration that his son fell ill, has filed a complaint against the university. 

The latest suicide came exactly two months after a Sathyabama University student hailing from Hyderabad killed herself after she was allegedly caught copying. The protest against the university administration had turned into arson after the angry students went on a rampage.