Sambalpur, Feb. 20: A first-year student of the English department at the Sambalur University today allegedly committed suicide.

The body of Parchi Prachurya Sahu, 21, a boarder at the varsity's Silver Jubilee hostel, was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her room.

In the morning, Prachi's roommates went for their respective classes. There was a seminar at the English department, but the students saw Prachi missing at the event.

"She had told her friends that she was feeling unwell and stayed back in her room," said police. Later, Prachi's friends knocked on the door of her room, but did not find any response. Subsequently, they informed the university authorities.

"The sweeper and the matron of the hostel, too, knocked on the door around 10.30am. The students' union president was also informed that nobody was responding from Prachi's room. When the authorities barged into the room by breaking open the door, they found her body hanging from the ceiling fan," said varsity spokesperson Rajat Kujur.

"We have informed the police and her parents. She was absolutely normal yesterday. She had also discussed with her friends about the seminar and her eagerness to take part in it," said Kujur. Prachi hailed from Badmal in Balangir district.

"The cause of the suicide is yet to be ascertained. We have recovered a note from the room," said inspector in charge of Burla police station Tofan Bag.