In a suspected case of suicide at Savitribai Phule Pune University, the body of a student preparing for competitive examinations was found hanging from a tree near the statue of Shivaji Maharaj in front of hostel number six Tuesday morning. The student has been identified as Balaji Bhausaheb Mundhe (28), native of Savargavkhede in Nanded district. The body was spotted by a few students on a morning walk. They informed the Chaturshringi police station, which rushed a team. Police have found a suicide note with the body which reportedly mentions the name of a girl and one more person. The police have sent the body for autopsy and informed his family members. “Preliminary investigation suggests he took the extreme step due to depression,” said inspector Subhash Nikam. [related-post] Meanwhile, Wasudeo Gade, vice-chancellor of the university, said the deceased student hailed from Nanded and had completed his MA in economics in 2012-2013. “Preliminary information suggests that he used to visit Jayakar library as he was preparing for competitive exams. However, it is not clear how he used to get entry into the library since his card was valid only till last year. He was not even issued a card which is mandatory for entry into the library,” Gade said. Since there were rumours that the student might have been living in the hostel as a “parasite” (a term used for those ex-students or outside students who live in hostels in rooms of other students despite not being given official accommodation), the vice-chancellor as well as Prof Bhaskar Shejwal, chief rector of hostels, said that though they had received no such information, they had started inquiring into the matter.
