Bengaluru: An 18-year-old student, who had attempted suicide after four of his classmates ragged him at South East Asian College of Nursing here recently, has been declared brain-dead by doctors, his family said.  Chelvan’s uncle?Perumal informed that the hospital had informed them that Chelvan is brain-dead.

Thamarai Chelvan (18), a native of Theni in Tamil Nadu tried to hang himself on the hostel terrace after four of his classmates demanded Rs. 4,000 for a laptop. The incident occurred on January 28 at the college hostel in KR Puram. Four students were arrested and released on bail on Tuesday in connection with the suspected ragging.

Police identified the suspects as Azharuddin, Nawaz, Karthik and Krishnan, all from Theni district. They have been booked under Sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. The college management will be booked for negligence.

Reportedly, unable to bear the harassment for two days, Chelvan called up his elder brother at Madurai on January 28 around 9.30 a.m. and hung up after breaking down. Later, his father, special sub-inspector P. Tirumurugan, received a call from the principal saying that his son had attempted suicide and that his condition was serious.

Sources said Chelvan had borrowed a laptop from one of the accused. Something went wrong among them and they had a heated argument. They demanded Rs 4,000 from him and he felt insulted and attempted suicide.

He is said to be a sensitive person. “But we are still investigating the case to ascertain the exact reason for Chelvan to attempt to suicide. Ragging cannot be ruled out and we are probing into it,” said a senior police officer.

Chelvan is critical and has been hospitalised. Thus, recording his statement is difficult. If he names the person and explains what transpired, then a strict action can be taken, added the police officer.

Some students gathered outside the college on Tuesday to protest against the incident. The family alleged that the college management, after promising to take care of the medical expenses earlier on Tuesday, went back on its promise.