A tragic incident has shaken the Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology (GIET) in Gunupur, as a final-year Computer Science student, Sandeep Lenka, was found dead under suspicious circumstances.
The student, hailing from Rajnagar in Kendrapara district, was discovered hanging from a ceiling fan in Room 24 of Newton Hostel on campus.
The incident came to light on Thursday morning when a cleaning staff member attempted to enter the locked room. Upon failing to open the door, fellow students alerted the university authorities, who found Sandeep’s lifeless body.
The Gunupur police have launched an investigation, with assistance from a forensic team. Preliminary findings suggest suicide, though the exact cause remains unknown. Sandeep had recently secured a job with Bengaluru-based Tech Mahindra and had returned to campus to complete his exams.
The university administration, represented by Dean of Administration Dr. N.V.J. Rao, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Sandeep as a bright and promising student. “We are deeply saddened by this incident. However, the reasons behind his actions remain unclear,” Dr. Rao stated.
Sandeep’s peers are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, especially as it occurred shortly after a farewell event for final-year students. The police have confirmed that the body will be sent for post-mortem examination once the family arrives.
This heartbreaking incident has raised questions about mental health awareness and support systems in educational institutions.