Engg student battling for life

Initially Mahesh said some people set him ablaze but later confessed to attempting suicide

Hyderabad: The condition of engineering student of Abhinav Hitech College of Engineering, Moinabad, K Shiva Mahesh, who confessed to police that he resorted to self-immolation on Monday, remains critical in the Acute Burns Care (ABC) at the Osmania General Hospital.

Shiva, a native of Boothpur village in Mahabubnagar district, was staying at a private hostel in Masab Tank area. He was depressed as he was not allowed to write his examination due to irregularities in his certificates. “He doused himself with petrol and set himself ablaze on Monday near the college. He sustained more than 90 per cent burns in the suicide attempt.

With the help of emergency services, he was rushed to Osmania Hospital,” Moinabad inspector G Srinivas said. According to Shiva’s relatives, his admission had earlier been rejected by VNR VJIET due to the irregularities in his Intermediate certificates. However, he got admission in Abhinav College but he was not issued a hall ticket as he did not qualify for the course.

"Initially, Mahesh said that some people poured petrol and set him ablaze. But later he confessed to attempting suicide because he slipped into depression following the rejection of his Intermediate certificates,” the inspector added. Police is also investigating the role of the college management in the case and questioning some of the college authorities.