Chennai: A woman professor of IIT-Madras ended her life by consuming poison yesterday. She passed away at a private hostel early this morning.

According to the police, the victim was identified as Dr Aditi Simha (45), an assistant professor in the Department of Physics. She had done her Ph.D from IISc, Bengaluru.

She lived alone in a house on IIT-M campus and often visited her mother who lives in Bengaluru. Her mother Neelima told police that she had spoken to Aditi at 11 am yesterday and her calls had gone unanswered after that. She asked her colleague to find out what happened.

Aditi’s friend found her unconscious and she was rushed to Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, at 8 pm.

When the police reached the hospital at 10 pm, they were told that she was critical and in an unconscious state.

Aditi had consumed Abrus precatorius (Rosary Pea) which she picked from the campus and ground into a paste.

She passed away in the hospital at 4 am. The police said Aditi was battling depression. She had married Murali five years ago and the duo separated after two years.

However, the Kotturpuram police, who have registered a case, are yet to ascertain the actual cause for her suicide.

If anyone is in mental distress or have suicidal thoughts, call 104 of the State Health Department’s helpline or call Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre at 2464 0050.