Student drowns in stone quarry as classmates watch in horror

A 19-year-old BBA student drowned in a stone quarry on the eastern outskirts of Bengaluru on Thursday, dismissing the warnings given by his female classmates against venturing into the water.

Akhilnadhnair, of Jalahalli and a second-year BBA student at Kristu Jayanti College in K Narayanapura, had gone on a picnic along with three of his female classmates from Kerala who stay at the college hostel. The college was closed as it was a holiday due to Valmiki Jayanti.

The four students had hired a cab and reached the main road near Doddenahalli, from where they took a drop from a vehicle to reach the quarry, off Hennur Road, about 15 kilometres from the city, police said.

The students took a few photographs on their phones, after which Akhilnadhnair said he wanted to swim. The girls warned him saying the place is unfamiliar, but he removed his shoes, jacket and spectacles and jumped into the water. The girls initially thought he knew swimming, but they later saw him struggling in the water. The girls screamed and two of them ran to call locals for help, but by the time they arrived, Akhilnadhnair had drowned.

The Bagalur police, who were patrolling nearby, rushed to the spot and called the Fire and Emergency Services Department. Meanwhile, one of the girls informed Akhilnadhnair's parents, who also rushed to the spot.

Akhilnadhnair's body was retrieved from the lake before noon and taken to BR Ambedkar Hospital for post-mortem. There were rumours that Akhilnadhnair accidentally slipped into the water while trying to take a selfie but police rubbished them by saying he had jumped into the lake for swimming after removing his shoes, jacket and spectacles. The jurisdictional Kothanur police have registered a case of unnatural death.

Fr Augustine G, vice principal, Kristu Jayanti College, said: "It is an unfortunate incident and the entire college is saddened by it. Akhilnadhnair was a talented boy who had won prizes at the recent Bangalore University 'Mimes' intercollegiate competition. He was a good mimicry artist."

He died just a day before birthday
Akhilnadhnair's friends posted condolence messages on Facebook soon after his death. One of them, Micah Jomike Michael, wrote: "A versatile actor, mimicry artist and a great friend!! Akhilnadhnair the memories you made will indeed live forever. It was only yesterday we had discussed about a track for a stage performance. The practice sessions we had cannot be ever forgotten and also death was so cruel it had to strike you a day before your Bday!!

But you will always remain a star. Hope you entertain everyone up there! Kristu Jayanti family will miss you (sic)."