TRICHY: A

polytechnic student was found charred to death near Vadakadu in Pudukottai district on Tuesday. The victim, R Ashok Raj, was suspected to have immolated himself allegedly distressed at being taunted for his “feminine behaviour”.

According to police, preliminary investigations revealed that Ashok Raj had been upset over the past few days and was refusing to go to college. He complained to his parents that he was being teased by his fellow classmate over his “feminine behaviour”. However, they didn’t take him seriously and insisted that he go to college. An upset Ashok tried to immolate himself near his place but he was saved by his parents on Sunday. However,

said his body was found charred near his house in Katrampatti village in the morning on Tuesday. Police recovered the body and sent it for post mortem.

Though circumstantial evidence points to suicide, police are waiting the postmortem report to confirm the reason for his death. It has also come to light that Ashok Raj wasn’t taken seriously even during his previous complaints. He had tried to hang himself at home twice but was saved by relatives. A case has been registered in this regard in Vadakadu police station and investigation was being carrying out to identify the classmates who were teasing him which forced him to take the extreme step.