College student dies by suicide in K’taka after being ‘linked’ to lecturer

In Karnataka, a 23-year-old Ayurveda student, Likhitha, allegedly died by suicide over defamatory rumours involving a lecturer. Police registered an FIR, while recent months have seen multiple student suicides in Bengaluru and other towns, prompting investigations into emotional distress cases

Chitradurga: A 23-year-old student of Ayurveda College in Holalkere town in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district allegedly died by suicide following distress over defamatory rumours of linking her with a lecturer, police said on Thursday.

The deceased has been identified as Likhitha, a student of an Ayurveda college in Malladihalli. She was found hanging at her residence in Basava Layout in Holalkere town.

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According to preliminary information, Likhitha was reportedly upset over false rumours linking her to her professor, which had allegedly affected her reputation. The rumours are said to have claimed that she was in a relationship with Professor Dr Raju.

Sources said that Likhitha left behind a death note in which she allegedly named the lecturer, Dr Raju, his wife, Nisha, and a few fellow students.

In the note, she is said to have blamed harassment and defamation by them as the reason for her taking the extreme step.

Based on the complaint, the Holalkere Police have registered a case and filed an FIR against the lecturer, his wife, and the students named in the death note.

An investigation has been taken up to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident. Further details are awaited. A 22-year-old student, Hemanth, allegedly died by suicide at his residence in RMV Second Stage, Sanjaynagar in Bengaluru, on February 22, following a quarrel with his mother.

Hemanth allegedly hanged himself after locking the door of his room from inside. The incident came to light when his mother called him for dinner and received no response.

On February 26, a 19-year-old diploma student allegedly died by suicide in Turuvekere town, with preliminary reports pointing to emotional distress. The deceased was identified as Dhanush, a second-year diploma student, who was reported missing by his parents before his body was later discovered near a water reservoir behind a diploma college in the town.

On April 1, a medical student allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the 12th floor of an apartment building. The incident was reported in Attavar, Karnataka. The medico had gone there to meet a friend. After signing the visitor register at the security desk, he directly proceeded to the 12th floor of the building and jumped from the building.