Chennai, July 2 : A temporary project staff at the IIT-Madras allegedly committed suicide by setting himself ablaze in the campus late on Thursday night.

Police recovered the charred body of the staff, identified as Unni Krishna Nair, a native of Kerala, was found near the hockey stadium located on the campus.

Students found the body near the bushes by the hockey field inside the campus and informed the police, who rushed to the spot and sent the body to Government Royapettah Government Hospital for post mortem.

Unni Krishna Nair, whose father is said to be employed with ISRO, returned to the campus yesterday morning from Kerala.

Police said the skin on the deceased’s face and some parts of the body were partially burnt.

No suspicious materials were found on the spot and police suspect it as a case of suicide.

In a media statement, the IIT-Madras said an unfortunate and tragic incident occurred yesterday at IIT Madras campus, involving a temporary project staff, whose body was found in the campus.

He had joined the Institute in April and was living outside the campus.

‘We are shocked and deeply grieved, and convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the departed soul”, it said.

The police is investigating the incident and the Institute is fully cooperating with the authorities, it added.(UNI)