A student of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) was reportedly found dead inside the hostel’s toilet on Saturday (July 11). The deceased was identified as Karnika(18), a second-year B.Sc. Agriculture student and a native of Vikravandi in Villupuram district.

According to sources, a conservancy worker raised an alarm after finding the toilet door locked from the inside, with the tap running for an unusually long time. Inside, Karnika was found motionless, and she was declared dead on arrival at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.

Subsequently, her parents lodged a complaint with the R.S. Puram police, raising suspicion about Karnika’s death, and demanding a detailed inquiry. They refused to accept the body till late in the evening.

Karnika had reportedly been distressed over keeping up with what she had described to her parents as an exacting academic schedule. TNAU sources said the student had health issues and was taking treatment at the campus hospital.

The police have registered a case of suspicious death, and an investigating team obtained CCTV camera footage of the campus from the TNAU administration. The post-mortem examination was videorecorded, sources added.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s Suicide Prevention Helpline 044-24640050.)

Published - July 11, 2026 07:31 pm IST