Kollam/ Chennai: The family of the 18-year-old Fathima Latheef, a first year student of MA humanities and development studies (integrated) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras who was found hanging in her hostel room on Saturday, alleged that harassment of faculty members was the cause of her death.
Her father Abdul Latheef said the suicide note retrieved from her mobile phone clearly indicated the involvement of the teachers.
Fathima joined the five-year integrated course at IIT in July 2019.
Latheef alleged that Tamil Nadu police have been trying to cover up the suicide and spread false information. He cited reports that Fathima had killed herself as she could not score good marks in the first semester examination to buttress his point. “She scored highest marks in her class in the last examination. Her friends are giving contradictory statements and seemed very scared,” he said.
Kerala chief minister offers help
On Tuesday, Latheef met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and sought a fair probe into the circumstances leading to Fathima's death.
Vijayan assured Latheef that he would take up the issue with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi Palaniswami.
He has also sent memoranda to the Prime Minister, Union HRD Minister, Tamil Nadu chief minister, DGP and the National Human Rights Commission, seeking a proper and fair probe.
Mobile evidence
Fathima had narrated all the episodes of harassment by her teachers in a notepad on her tablet.
On Saturday, when her mother tried to contact her, the phone continued to be switched off following which she contacted Fathima's friend and asked her to check. Later, she was informed by the hostel warden that Fathima had committed suicide.
Latheef alleged that the police had not had not listed her mobile phone as an evidence.
“When we switched on the phone, we were shocked to see the screen saver. It asked us to check the notes on her tablet. While browsing through the notes, we found evidences for harassment by a faculty member (name withheld to protect identity),” he said.
Fisheries Mnister J Mercykutty Amma demanded punishment for the faculty members responsible for Fathima's suicide. “There were complaints that the girl was subjected to communal discrimination by her teachers. A memorandum has been subjected to the Chief Minister, requesting government intervention in the matter,” she said.
IIT Madras, meanwhile, issued a statement on Saturday expressing grief and sadness over the students' death. "IIT Madras faculty, staff and students extend their deepest condolences to the family, friends and other near and dear ones of the deceased student. This is indeed an irreparable loss to the institute and the family. May her soul rest in peace," the statement said.
