This isn’t the first drowning case in UoH

HYDERABAD: It is not the first time that a student lost his life drowning in a water body on University of Hyderabad campus. Six years before Akash Sen, the 21-year-old MA Sociology student, who drowned at a water body near Mushroom rock on Thursday night, another first year MA student drowned at ‘check dam’ near non-teaching staff quarters. The Journalism student from Andhra Pradesh, who knew swimming, died in 2011 reportedly while swimming under the influence of alcohol. 

On Thursday, one of the concerns brought forth was the presence of an outsider along with three girls and three boys, all students of UOH who allegedly consumed alcohol and went for a swim, resulting in Sen’s drowning. However, the university is yet to speak out on the matter. On Friday UoH released a statement condoling the death. Vinod Pavarala, UoH spokesperson said, “The students are in a state of shock and trauma. A decision is yet to be taken as to what will be done next.”

The university is spread over 2,000 acres, of which at least 300 acres is dense forest area inhabited by venomous snakes and wild boars. The campus also has huge granite boulder formations and three major water bodies. Students regularly venture into these areas at night for trekking, conducting parties, cooking in open, camping etc, which often involves consumption of alcohol. Many students even sleep under the sky. The practice dates back to decades. 

This continues, despite the university erecting close to 60 caution boards across the campus informing students not to enter the spots which are off the limits for them, while also warning them of dangers like venomous snakes. University’s security personnel often come across students spending time inside wooded patches of campus or other restricted areas at night. 
The accident which claimed life of Sen occurred at a water body located at the famous Mushroom rock, which although is not part of the university campus anymore, is frequented by many students. Check Dam, a well-known water body on campus is a popular spot for swimming and diving among students, especially in the monsoons.