HYDERABAD: A 20-year-old degree student died by suicide on Thursday after jumping from a building at the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Degree College in Mancherial. Though she was rushed to the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The incident has plunged her family into deep grief, especially as the academic year was nearing its end.
The deceased, identified as Jangapalli Lakshmi Prasanna, was a second-year degree student at the government-run college located on College Road in Mancherial town. According to sources, she jumped from the college building on Thursday morning. Hostel staff, upon noticing her lying in a pool of blood, immediately shifted her to the district hospital, where she later died.
There is growing suspicion that Lakshmi Prasanna took the extreme step due to alleged harassment by college staff. It is reported that staff members had verbally abused several students the previous night, which may have caused her severe emotional distress. Lakshmi, who had been social and friendly with her peers, shocked everyone by suddenly attempting suicide.
Her father, Gopal, a resident of Jaggayyapet village in Bheemini mandal, was informed of the incident. Tensions rose when her body was being taken for post-mortem, as a brief argument broke out between student union leaders and police.
The Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU) has demanded that criminal cases be filed against the college principal, watchman, and staff, holding them responsible for Lakshmi’s death. D. Srikanth, state vice-president of the PDSU, called for an immediate inquiry by the district collector and legal action against the responsible officials. He also expressed frustration over being denied entry into the college campus, alleging negligence by authorities.
Srikanth raised concerns about the college’s communication to the family, saying they were merely told that “your daughter fell in the bathroom and was taken to the hospital”, which he found suspicious. “How can a bathroom fall lead to death?” he questioned.
He further criticised the inaction of senior officials, including the Regional Coordinator, Zonal Officer, and Collector, saying none had responded yet. Srikanth demanded a proper investigation, criminal charges against the college staff, and government employment for one member of Lakshmi’s family. He also urged the government to provide an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh to the bereaved family.
