Chennai: Doctor treating Covid-19 patients jumps to death at Stanley hostel

CHENNAI: A 24-year-old post-graduate doctor at Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital jumped to his death from the third floor of the men’s hostel on the premises early on Monday, police said. He had been involved in handling coronavirus patients.


A few internal WhatsApp groups for doctors at the hospital initially claimed that the deceased Kannan, an orthopaedics specialist, ended his life due to work pressure, but police denied the allegations, saying inquiries were on.

The native of Udumalaipet in Tirupur district who completed his MBBS at Government Thanjavur Medical College didn’t leave any suicide note, an officer said, adding that Kannan joined the hospital in June.

A few doctors told police they had seen Kannan, a bachelor, attending to patients till 1.30am on Monday. Then he returned to his hostel. Around 4am, some doctors spotted him lying on the ground near the hospital and informed the hospital authorities who alerted police.

A team from the Seven Wells police station rushed to the spot and found him dead. It was believed that he had jumped from the third floor where his room was located. The body was sent for autopsy.

Police informed his family members and registered a case under CrPC 174 (unnatural death).

Flower Bazaar deputy commissioner of police E Karthik said, “Inquiries found he was new to the hospital. He may have been a topper in medical college.”