PhD student found dead in hostel room at ICAR-IIAB Ranchi

Ranchi: A 35-year-old PhD student at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IIAB) here was found dead inside his hostel room, officials said on Saturday. The man, identified as Prathmesh Raipure, was a resident of Maharashtra, and pursuing his PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding at the institute.

"The student was found lying on the floor in his hostel room on Friday evening. The door was bolted from inside and the lock had to be broken to enter the room. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination," Kharsidag outpost in-charge Manish Gupta said. No suicide note was recovered from the spot, police said.

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"Prima facie, it seems the student might have died due to some medical complications. However, the exact cause of death will be ascertained once the autopsy report arrives," the officer said. "On Friday, he complained of weakness and went to his room, locking the door from inside.

After he did not respond, the door was broken and he was found lying on the floor," said Dr Sujay Rakshit, the director of the institute. Family members have been informed and further investigation into the matter is underway, Gupta added.