New Delhi: A student having Kerala roots was found hanging in the library building of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here. He was identified as Rishi Joshua (24), a second year MA student.

The body of Joshua, whose family has been living at Vellore in Tamil Nadu for the past several years, was found in the study room on the ground floor of the library.

It is learnt that Joshua, a student attached to the School of Languages of the university, had sent an email to his professor before his death. However, the contents of the mail have not been disclosed. The youth was staying in Mahi-Madavi Hostel and its warden informed the police about the incident around 11:30am.

South West police deputy commissioner Devender Arya said that the room in which Joshua was found dead had been locked from the inside. As there was no response when the police knocked on the door, it had to be forced open, he said.

"From the window, we could see a body hanging from the ceiling fan. The door was forcibly opened and the body was taken down by cutting the cable," he said.

He said a police crime team visited the spot and necessary investigation was done.

The body has been taken to the Safdarjung Hospital, he said, adding the deceased student's relatives have been informed and his cousin Mathew Vargese has reached the university.

"The deceased was undergoing some treatment, as per preliminary enquiry. A suicide note was mailed by him to an English professor. As per preliminary enquiry, no foul play is suspected. Further investigation is in progress," the DCP said.

In a statement, the Jawaharlal Nehru University expressed its "deep condolences at the untimely demise of an MA student in one of the academic buildings of the university".

(With inputs from PTI)