Berhampur, Feb. 9: A third-year student of National Institute of Science and Technology died after jumping from the fifth floor of the college building this morning.

The engineering college is situated at Golanthara, 20km from here.

Police said there was prima-facie evidence that the victim, Rahul Chowdhury, 20, was a psychiatric patient. But they were waiting for the post-mortem report.

"We have registered an unnatural death case. Though there is prima-facie evidence that Rahul was a psychiatric patient, we will also look into other possible angles," said inspector in charge of Golanthara police station Aloke Kumar Jena.

Rahul's father Netrananda Chowdhury said: "He stayed at a rented house in Govind Nagar near the college along with my wife because he was a psychiatric patient and was under treatment in Berhampur."

Some of the victim's classmates said his mental condition had been unstable over the past few months.

The engineering college's manager (administration) K. Premeswar Rao said: "Rahul was a student of third year in electrical electronics engineering. He had remained absentand attended class for the first time after a month yesterday. He also attended the first class today from 7.30am to 9.10am and was on his way to attend the second class."

Rao said the family members and the police were informed immediately after the incident and classes were suspended for the day.