A 20-year-old B.Tech student from Arunachal Pradesh was found dead at Kothamangalam in Kerala’s Ernakulam district in a suspected suicide case, triggering protests from students and prompting the State government to initiate a probe into the incident.

Michi Marpu, a native of Naharlagun in Papum Pare in Arunachal Pradesh, was found dead at his rented residence around 4.30 p.m. on Saturday (August 15, 2026). The deceased was a third-year engineering student at Mar Athanasius College of Engineering (MACE), Kothamangalam. He was declared brought dead upon being rushed to the Kothamangalam Taluk Hospital by his friends.

A section of students alleged that Marpu was distressed over the ‘year break system’ in the college which reportedly mandated that only students who score 22 credits in Semester 4 are allowed to proceed to the next semester. The protesting students claimed that the minimum credit requirement for continuing studies at other engineering colleges in the State is only 18.

The Kothamangalam police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) pertaining to unnatural death and launched an investigation.

Marpu’s body has been kept at the Government Taluk Hospital in Kothamangalam. An inquest and postmortem are scheduled for Sunday (August 16, 2026)after the relatives of the student arrive.

State Higher Education Minister promises probe

Reacting to the incident, State Higher Education Minister Roji M. John on Sunday (August 16, 2026) said a proper investigation will be ensured into the circumstances that led to the death of the student. He said along with the police investigation, a department-level inquiry will also be ordered into the incident.

The Minister said the Kerala Technology University had recently decided to put on hold the ‘year back’ system and all colleges affiliated with the varsity were supposed to comply with the decision.

“MACE decided to continue with the system in its capacity as an autonomous college though the college was asked to reconsider the decision. The government has limitations in interfering academic decisions of autonomous colleges. Our stand is that institutions should be taking academic-related decisions considering the future and safety of students,” Mr. John said.

The Minister said around 20 students of the college in Kothamangalam were facing difficulties due to the ‘year back’ system. “Institutions should be more careful in handling such situations. Students should be given counselling and their families should be convinced about the situation,” he said.

The Student Federation of India (SFI) has also demanded a comprehensive probe into Marpu’s death.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline of Maithri - 0484-2540530, Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre - 0495-2760000 and DISHA- 1056.)

Published - August 16, 2026 01:37 pm IST