Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Mar 17: A student of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal died here on Thursday March 17, allegedly after a freak accident in his hostel bathroom on the night of Wednesday March 16.
The deceased has been identified as Neham Agarwal from Haryana, a second year student of MIT.
As per some of the students at the college, Neham suffered acute burn injuries after the geyser in his hostel bathroom exploded. He was admitted to Manipal hospital where he breathed his last on Thursday.
It was alleged that there were attempts to pass off Neham's death as 'suicide', and the students were bracing themselves to hold a protest.
However, on Thursday evening, the management issued a statement denying allegations that there was a cover-up. "...It was found by block care takers, block warden, security and students that Neham Agrawal, second year chemical engineering student, had sustained severe burn injuries in his bathroom in what appears to be an accident. The boy was immediately rushed to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal and given treatment. Parents have been informed and they have already arrived to Manipal. The doctors attended to the injured boy and the condition was very critical," said Dr G K Prabhu, director of MIT in his statement to the students.
"Police and forensic team has already visited the site and investigating the situation... We assure you that all necessary steps will be taken to bring out the truth of the incident," he added.
He also appealed to the students not to spread or pay heed to rumours on social media about the cause of Neham's death, and not to turn it into an 'anti-college propaganda' by protesting.
Speaking to daijiworld, Dr G K Prabhu said that it was a case of unnatural death. "The police and investigating teams are collecting evidence to determine what exactly happened. We are fully cooperating with the police. We are waiting for the report.
"The incident happened at around 12.30 am, and soon after, the security and the students broke open the bathroom door and took Neham to hospital by our own ambulance. His parents have come," he added.
Police sources said that a kerosene bottle had been recovered, but refused to confirm the cause of death.
Manipal police are investigating.