Engg student commits suicide at Worli hostel

MUMBAI: A 21-year-old lady committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at Sant Mirabai Girls' hostel at Worli since she was depressed over not performing well in her ongoing engineering exams. The incident occurred on Thursday evening at 6 when Sheetal Shirke was undergoing depression. She was alone inside her room and suddenly hanged herself from a ceiling fan. The Sant Mirabai Girls’ Hostel at Worli is run by the Maharashtra Social Justice Department. Shirke is a second-year engineering diploma student at St Xavier's Technical Institute, Mahim. Her body was found by one of the hostel inmates who informed the hostel authorities about the incident. The hostel authorities called up the control room and informed the police. Shirke, who hails from Shahapur, was rushed to Poddar Ayurvedic hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. She is survived by her parents and two siblings. According to Jitendra Pawar, SPI, Worli police station, "Shirke was staying at the hostel for the past 18 months. She was depressed due to her ongoing engineering exams. She had appeared for a few papers and a few other exams were pending. No suicide note has been found from her room. She was a quiet person and hardly used to interact with anyone. We have recorded the statement of her family members.” 120 girls reside at the Worli hostel, which caters to sociallydisadvantaged students who live in Mumbai to pursue higher education. Meanwhile, the students from the boys’ hostel have been protesting against mess food and hygiene and lack of basic amenities. “There is no foul play in the incident. This matter is not related to any grievances faced by hostel students,” added Pawar.