Dhanbad: A final-year petroleum engineering student of IIT(ISM), Dhanbad, died after falling from the eighth floor of his hostel on Saturday morning. Police said they were examining whether it was a case of suicide.The deceased was identified as Mane Rajkumar Pratik (25) from Ahmedpur in Maharashtra’s Latur district. The incident took place between 7.30 am and 7.45 am. He was taken to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The body has been kept in the mortuary and postmortem examination will be conducted after his family reaches Dhanbad.Dhanbad police station officer-in-charge Manoj Pandey said the case was under investigation. “Preliminary findings suggest suicide, but the exact circumstances are yet to be established,” he said.Hostelmates told police Pratik had been under stress for some time, but the reason has not been confirmed. Students said he had gone home last month and returned to the institute on Oct 25.Police have not confirmed reports that he sent a WhatsApp message to his parents shortly before the incident. Investigators are expected to examine his phone and other evidence as part of the probe.Classmates described Pratik as academically strong, saying he maintained a CGPA of over 8 and had secured an all-India rank of 10 in GATE 2026 in petroleum engineering.IIT(ISM) security officer Ram Manohar said Pratik’s parents had been informed and were on their way from Maharashtra. Police said further action would follow after the family arrives and the postmortem report is received.
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