Family members of a tribal youth in Malda, who was a first-year PG student of North Bengal University (NBU) have filed a complaint with police and varsity authorities after his suicide on Monday at his home, alleging that he was a victim of ragging.

On Monday morning, Uttam Mardi, 22, who was from Seeshadanga village in Gazole, Malda district, hanged himself in the washroom of his home. A few weeks back, he had enrolled himself as an MA student of the history department at NBU.

On Tuesday, his family filed a complaint with Gazole police and sent an e-mail to the vice-chancellor of NBU, alleging that Uttam was depressed because of ragging and hence took the drastic step.

They will also file a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, a relative said.

After graduating from Malda College, Uttam reached NBU on October 3 and left the hostel on October 6. “Yesterday (Monday), he committed suicide. Our officers are gathering details and probing the case,” said a police officer in Malda.

Jayanta Murmu, a relative, said that as they scanned Uttam’s phone, they found him added to two WhatsApp groups of NBU students.

“However, after his death, a number of messages had been deleted from both WhatsApp groups. Ever since he returned home, he looked depressed. We suspect he couldn’t bear the torment at the varsity. The police should find out the truth and take steps against all those responsible for his death,” said Murmu.

NBU has initiated an inquiry, varsity sources said.

“We are taking steps according to the norms of the University Grants Commission. The anti-ragging squad has started its probe. But, we have not found any evidence of ragging so far,” said Swapan Kumar Rakhit, the NBU officiating registrar.