CBI begins probe in IIT Madras student's death

The investigation into the death of 19-year-old student Fathima Latheef on the Indian Institute of Technology campus in Chennai has been initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation following allegations levelled by her parents about harassment from faculty members and subsequent condemnation from political parties and student organisations.

Kollam (Kerala):The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started its investigation in the case related to the death of Fathima Latheef, a 19-year-old student who was found dead in her hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.

According to reports, the investigation team from Chennai, had reached Fathima’s house in Kollam district of Kerala on Friday and had recorded Fathima’s parents’ and other family members’ statements.

Fatima, a very bright student and a rank-holder, was a first-year student of Humanities when she reportedly ended her life on November 9, 2019.

Her family had filed a complaint after retrieving a note from her phone, according to which she was facing harassment from some faculty members, forcing her to take the extreme step.

She had joined IIT in July 2019 and was the class topper when she died. Later, in the preliminary investigation conducted and a death statement against Fathima’s teachers were found from her mobile phone.

The name of one teacher, Sudharshan Padmanabhan, was particularly mentioned in her statement. As the protests intensified, the investigation in the case was left to the CBI.