Karnataka PhD student found dead in pond on Kerala Agricultural University campus

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

The deceased was identified as Kishore Kumar Gowda, a first-year PhD student in the Department of Vegetable Science who was staying at the university hostel.

According to police, Gowda was found in a pond at the Fruit Crops Research Station between 12.05 am and 1 am. Fire and Rescue Services personnel retrieved him from the water and took him to Thrissur District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at 2.50 am.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita following a complaint by the assistant warden of the hostel.

Preliminary inquiries suggest Gowda had gone out to pluck dragon fruit. However, police said the exact circumstances leading to his death would be known only after a detailed investigation.

The inquest will be conducted after his family arrives from Bengaluru, police said.