New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS) Hansraj College of the Delhi University was closed Wednesday after a 22-year-old visually challenged student was found hanging in his hostel room, a college official said. The autopsy will be conducted Thursday.
“We have registered a case of murder. A medical board has been constituted and it will conduct the post-mortem examination Thursday,” said Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat.

Asked about rumours of a possible sodomy assault on the victim, Bhagat said: “Nothing could be said before the post-mortem report.”

Mukesh Kumar, a second year student of BA Hindi honours, was found hanging from a fan in his first floor hostel room around 8.15 p.m. Tuesday. He belonged to a poor family in Agra in Uttar Pradesh. No suicide note was recovered from him.

According to police, there was an attempt to pass off the murder as a suicide. The hands of the deceased were tied indicating foul play. The stool was also found inches below Mukesh’s legs. The rope used for the hanging was much longer than needed. The aim probably was to use the rope to pull the body up, police said.

“The body has been sent for autopsy and we are awaiting the report to ascertain the time of death. Prima facie it looks to be a homicidal hanging as his hands were tied behind his back,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Sagarpreet Hooda told IANS.

The police suspect an insider to be involved in the incident and have questioned Kumar’s classmates and the hostel’s security guard. His roommate Ashish, who was away at the time of the incident, has been detained for questioning.

Meanwhile, the college was closed for a day.

“The college has been shut for the day following the death of the student. The administration will meet the college hostel committee during the day to learn more about the incident,” said a college official.

Kumar’s hostel mates were shocked over the incident.

“He was a very lively person. He never mentioned that he had enmity with anyone. His murder has shocked and surprised everyone,” said one the students.