MSc student Trisha Saha found dead in North Bengal Agricultural University hostel
Synopsis
A 22-year-old MSc student was found hanging in her hostel room at North Bengal Agricultural University in Cooch Behar on 20 August, after classmates raised the alarm when she did not respond for hours. Police have broken open her door, recovered the body, and ordered an autopsy — but say the cause of death cannot be confirmed until results arrive.
Key Takeaways
Trisha Saha , 22 , a first-year MSc student from Siliguri , was found dead in her hostel room on 20 August .
The incident occurred at Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (North Bengal Agricultural University) in Pundibari, Cooch Behar .
Classmates alerted authorities after her room door remained closed and she did not respond to repeated calls.
Police broke open the door and found her hanging; the body has been sent for autopsy .
Suicide is suspected, but investigators say all possibilities are being examined pending the post-mortem report.
The body of Trisha Saha, a 22-year-old first-year Master of Science (MSc) student, was recovered from the hostel of Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (North Bengal Agricultural University) in the Pundibari area of Cooch Behar district on Thursday, 20 August. Suicide is suspected, though authorities say the cause of death cannot be confirmed until the autopsy report is received.
How the Body Was Discovered
According to university sources, Saha's classmates grew concerned on Thursday morning when her room door remained shut for an unusually long time and she did not respond to repeated calls. They alerted university authorities and the hostel in-charge, who in turn informed the Pundibari police station.
Police arrived and, in the presence of university officials, broke open the door to her room in the international hostel. Saha, a resident of Shibmandir, Siliguri in North Bengal, was found hanging inside. Her body was recovered and sent for autopsy.
What University Officials Said
North Bengal Agricultural University Registrar Abhas Kumar Sinha confirmed that Saha lived alone in a single room in the hostel. 'In the morning, her classmates called her many times but did not get any response. The police broke down the door and found her hanging,' he said.
Sinha added that investigators are examining the situation inside the hostel room, Saha's recent movements, and whether she had been in contact with anyone prior to the incident. Officials are also collecting information about her daily routine and whether any problems had arisen recently.
Family's Reaction
Saha's maternal uncle, Parthapratim Saha, said the family received a call from the university in the morning informing them of the incident. 'We are still unable to understand how and why this happened,' he said.
Investigation Under Way
While the initial assessment by investigators points to suicide, police have stated that all possibilities — including other causes of death — are being probed. The autopsy report is expected to provide clarity on the actual cause. This comes amid broader concerns about student mental health and welfare conditions in university hostels across West Bengal.
Authorities are expected to share further findings once the post-mortem examination is complete.
Point of View
With limited pastoral care infrastructure. The fact that classmates had to raise the alarm, and that no distress signal was flagged earlier, points to a gap in welfare monitoring. West Bengal has seen a string of student deaths on campuses in recent years; each time, the conversation about counselling resources and early-intervention systems surfaces briefly before fading. Until universities are held to measurable mental health support standards, these incidents risk remaining isolated news events rather than prompting structural change.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Trisha Saha?
Trisha Saha was a 22-year-old first-year MSc student at Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (North Bengal Agricultural University) in Cooch Behar. She was a resident of Shibmandir, Siliguri, in North Bengal, and was staying alone in the university's international hostel.
How was her body discovered?
Saha's classmates grew alarmed on Thursday morning when her room door stayed closed for a long time and she did not respond to their calls. They informed university authorities and the hostel in-charge, who alerted the Pundibari police station. Police broke open the door in the presence of university officials and found her hanging inside.
Is the cause of death confirmed?
No. While suicide is initially suspected, investigators have stated that no conclusion can be drawn with certainty until the autopsy report is received. Police say all possibilities are being examined.
What is the university doing following the incident?
University Registrar Abhas Kumar Sinha said authorities are examining the condition of the hostel room, Saha's recent movements, and whether she had been in contact with anyone. Officials are also gathering information about her daily life and whether any problems had surfaced recently.
What did the family say?
Saha's maternal uncle, Parthapratim Saha, said the family was informed by the university in the morning. He said: 'We are still unable to understand how and why this happened.'
