IIT Madras double suicide cases: Professor’s wife and female scholar found hanging

In quite a shocking incident, two women including a professor’s wife and a research scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras had committed suicide.

The former Vijayalakshmi was a 47-year-old woman and wife of physics assistant professor Ganeshan. She was found hanging inside her quarters around 3 pm. On the other hand, just after an hour or so, the 34-year-old post-doctoral research scholar in chemistry P Maheshwari was found hanging in her hostel room. IIT-M announced full cooperation to officials in this case, condoling the scholar’s death.

In a statement issued, it said, “IIT-Madras, reports with deep sadness the death of a post-doctoral research scholar in the campus. The scholar’s family has been informed. The institute is taking necessary action and extending full cooperation to civil authorities.The institute extends its deep felt condolences to the family and the near and dear ones of the scholar for the unfortunate, untimely and devastating loss.”

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Reason behind the suicides:

Police officials said that investigation is still on and they are trying to dig out the reason behind Maheshwari’s decision to take such an extreme step. Married for 12 years, she was a resident of Puducherry and was staying at the Sabarmati hostel on the campus. According to some sources in the police, she was reported to be depressed and had attempted suicide earlier also.

Although the investigation is still on, a senior police official said that the reason behind them taking their own lives could be “family issues.” IIT Madras had witnessed similar suicide cases of two students last year in the month of October, as well.

About IIT Madras

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras is one among the foremost institutes of national importance in higher technological education, basic and applied research. It has established itself as a premier centre for teaching, research and industrial consultancy in the country.

[“source -cncb”]