JNU scholar suicide: Police will ask university officials to join probe

Delhi Police have registered a case of abetment to suicide and also under the SC/ST prevention of atrocities act was registered against unknown persons. Muthurkrishnan was reportedly a friend of Rohith Vemula

To probe the suicide of JNU research scholar J Muthukrishnan, who was found hanging at his friend’s place in Munirka Vihar on Monday evening, the police will now send notices to the JNU administration asking them to join the investigation.

The house in Munirka Vihar where JNU student J Muthukrishnan allegedly committed suicide. (Sushil Kumar/HT Photo)

A case of abetment to suicide and also under the SC/ST prevention of atrocities act was registered against unknown persons to probe Muthukrishnan’s death on Tuesday, after his father filed a police complaint alleging that his son was facing harassment in JNU because of his caste and a thorough investigation be conducted into his ‘suspicious death’.

Read: JNU student death: Delhi Police files FIR for abetment to suicide

“Muthukrishnan’s father, Jeevanantham, had alleged that his son was being harassed in JNU. Keeping the allegations in mind we will send notices not only to JNU administration but also the registrar, the head of the student’s welfare board and the head of department of Centre for Historical Studies. We have also approached a few of his batch mates and friends. All of them will be asked to join the probe,” a police officer said.

Meanwhile, the police have seized Muthukrishnan’s laptop and mobile phone and his logs are being analysed. “It is important to find out who all he spoke to before he went to his friend’s house where he allegedly committed suicide. He had also told his friend that he was upset and could not sleep the previous night. It is still unclear if he had an argument with anyone. We have also called his roommate and will be recording his statement. He has however, clarified that Muthukrishnan was not taking any medication for depression,” a police officer said.

“We are going through his chats and mailboxes to gather clues. A special team of CFSL also inspected his hostel room and the room where he was found dead,” he added.

Read: JNU ‘suicide’: Dalit scholar was Rohith Vemula’s friend at Hyderabad university

Sources also said that the initial post-mortem report suggests he died of asphyxia. “It does not seem that he had scuffle with anyone as no external injury marks were seen on his body. Also he had played Holi on the day he died as he was soaked in colour when he reached his friend’s place. We need to find out who he played Holi with and who all he met on that day. The investigation is on,” he said.