Mystery Shrouds Hyderabad Student’s Death After 16-Floor Fall at Azim Premji University

Tragedy Strikes Prestigious University: 21-Year-Old Student Found Dead After Falling From 16th Floor

Bengaluru, November 11, 2023 – A pall of gloom descended on the campus of Azim Premji University today, as news spread about the tragic death of a 21-year-old final year BSc student. M Ashwin Nambiar, a native of Hyderabad residing in the university hostel, was found dead after apparently falling from the 16th floor between 7:30 AM and 8 AM.

While the exact cause behind Ashwin’s death is yet to be ascertained, police suspect it to be a case of suicide. However, no suicide note has been recovered so far. The Sarjapur police have registered a case of unnatural death and are investigating the matter from all angles, not ruling out the possibility of foul play.

According to Ashwin’s father Manohar Nambiar, a retired Indian Navy officer, the family received a call from the university authorities around 10:30 AM, informing them about the incident. The grieving father told media outlets, “We don’t know what the reason could be. Ashwin was a bright student. The reason can be ascertained only after talking to the university management and police.”

The deceased’s body has been moved to the mortuary of Oxford Medical College in Attibele. Police teams are examining the spot from where Ashwin fell as well as going through CCTV footage to ascertain the sequence of events leading to the tragic incident.

One of Ashwin’s friends told media that nobody had any inkling that he was suicidal. Describing Ashwin as a bright and cheerful student, the friend expressed shock at his abrupt decision to end his life. “The mood here at the residence is very low, we are all shocked that he would take his own life. It’s a critical failure for the university support infrastructure,” he added.

In its statement, Azim Premji University said, “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of a student at the University campus. Our hearts go out to his family and friends who knew and loved him. We are doing everything possible to support his immediate family at this time of grief.”

The shocking incident has left the student community at the prestigious private university devastated. The university management suspended classes for the day to help students cope with the trauma. Counselling sessions have also been arranged.

This heart-wrenching loss of a young life has sparked wider conversations about the urgent need to address mental health issues and strengthen emotional support systems, especially on campuses. Educationists are emphasizing that academic pressures should not come at the cost of students’ mental well-being.

As the police investigation progresses, Ashwin’s family and friends can only hope that the full picture emerges and some light is shed on why this promising life met such an abrupt and tragic end. The young man’s death is a chilling reminder that we as a society need to be more alert to signs of internal turmoil in bright young minds around us.