Cusat student found dead in hostel room

Kochi: A student of Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) was found dead at a private hostel near the campus on Thursday. According to police, Darshana K S of Puthuvype was found hanging from a window using a piece of cloth inside her room. A case of unnatural death has been registered and an investigation is under way.Darshana completed her third year in civil engineering during 2024-25 academic year. Sources said she was declared ‘year out' after failing to secure the required academic credits.Vice-chancellor Junaid Bushiri sought a report from chief security officer Sibichen Joseph. The university has also convened a high-level meeting at Senate Hall on Tuesday to review the recent incidents and discuss student welfare, campus safety and preventive measures.This is the second such death reported from the university within a fortnight. On April 22, Dhanush D, a third-year electrical and electronics engineering student from Kumarapuram in Alappuzha, was found dead in a private hostel room near the campus.The meeting will be attended by key stakeholders, including registrar, controller of examinations, director of student welfare, chief warden, NSS coordinator, student union representatives, teachers' organisations, counsellors, medical officers and security officials.