25-year-old Karnataka PhD student found dead in pond on Kerala Agricultural University campus

Thrissur: A 25-year-old PhD student from Karnataka was found dead in a pond on the Kerala Agricultural University campus at Vellanikkara, Thrissur, in the early hours of Saturday, with police launching an investigation into the incident.

The deceased was identified as Kishore Kumar Gowda, a first-year PhD scholar in the Department of Vegetable Science. He was residing in the university hostel.

According to police, Gowda was found in a pond at the Fruit Crops Research Station on the university premises between 12.05 am and 1 am.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel recovered the body of Gowda from the pond and took him to Thrissur District Hospital.  Doctors pronounced him dead at 2.50 am, police said.

A case of unnatural death has been registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita based on a complaint filed by the assistant warden of the hostel where Gowda was staying.

Police said a detailed probe is underway, and the inquest will be carried out after Gowda’s family members arrive from Bengaluru.

Preliminary inquiries indicate that Gowda had gone out to pluck dragon fruit. However, the exact circumstances surrounding his death will be known only after a thorough investigation, police added. (PTI)