IIT-Delhi student commits suicide by hanging himself in hostel room; note indicates 'sexual abuse'

A 21-year-old student of Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling fan in his hostel room on Friday, according to police.

The student, later identified as Gopal Maloo was a first-year student of Masters in Chemistry at the institute. Gopal, son of Samat Maloo was living in the Nilgiri boys hostel in Delhi and was a native of Hooghly district in West Bengal.

Police rescued his one-page suicide note from the spot. The note, written in Bengali, revealed that he was suffering from depression over being sexually abused since his childhood. He has also mentioned a few names in his suicide note. One of his roommates found him hanging and informed the police at 8:05 am on Friday.

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As per the police statement, earlier on April 10, Gopal tried to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pills and was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. Post that, his brother, Bachoo ram, stayed with him and counselled for the betterment of his mental state.

According to sources, police will register an FIR under sections of unnatural sexual assault and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) on the basis of the suicide note and handed it over to the West Bengal police.

Gopal had completed his graduation from a well-known university in Kolkata and had joined IIT-Delhi two months back for his masters.

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He had never complained about being sexually assaulted when he was in Kolkata and he had shown no signs of depression either., according to his family members. The suicide note has been sent for forensic analysis. Gopal's brother is taking the body home on Saturday.