Hyderabad-born IIT Kharagpur Assistant Professor Found Dead in Campus Quarters

The body of a 36-year-old assistant professor from Hyderabad was recovered from his residential quarters at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur on Wednesday, July 29. Deepak Reddy Pullaguram, who taught at the institute, was found hanging after colleagues became concerned when he did not respond to calls and found his door locked from inside.

Incident Details

According to Kharagpur Town Police, Pullaguram’s colleagues alerted authorities after they were unable to reach him. When police arrived and broke open the locked room, they discovered him hanging. He was rushed to BC Roy Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Pullaguram lived alone in the residential quarter inside the IIT campus. His family in Hyderabad has been informed of the tragedy.

Police Investigation

Additional Superintendent of Police (Kharagpur) Bushra Bano confirmed the recovery and said a proper investigation has been initiated. “The body of an IIT Kharagpur professor has been recovered. A proper investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding this death,” she said. Police are looking into whether personal or mental health issues may have contributed to the incident. No suicide note has been reported so far.

Background of the Victim

Deepak Reddy Pullaguram was originally from Hyderabad and had been working as an assistant professor at IIT Kharagpur. Details about his academic background and the department he worked in are yet to be confirmed. IIT Kharagpur has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Mental Health and Academic Stress

The incident has once again brought attention to the mental health challenges faced by academics, particularly those living away from family. While the exact cause of Pullaguram’s death remains under investigation, the tragedy underscores the need for better mental health support systems within higher education institutions.

Relevance to Hyderabad

For Hyderabad residents, the case is a stark reminder of the pressures faced by many from the city who pursue careers in academia across the country. The Hyderabad community, and particularly families of students and faculty residing elsewhere, should be aware of the resources available for mental health support. Telangana-based organisations, such as the Telangana State Mental Health Authority, and national helplines like Sneha India (044-24640050) and iCall (9152987821) offer confidential counselling.

Datos clave

Source: The Siasat Daily – Hyderabad (https://www.siasat.com/iit-kharagpur-assistant-professor-from-hyderabad-found-hanging-3515585/)