Three students of SVS Yoga Medical College in Kallakurichi near Villupuram, around 40 kilometres from Puducherry, committed suicide on Saturday evening. They blamed college chairman Vasuki Subramanian for their death and also accused the administration of “torture” and charging excess fess of “around Rs 6 lakh” without providing a receipt, The Indian Express reported. The bodies of the girls, who were pursuing naturopathy, were found in a well. They are believed to have jumped into it.

Students at the college have held major protests over excess fees for months. In September last year, some students tried to self-immolate, while others were admitted to a hospital for drinking rat poison.

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The three girls – 18-year-olds E Saranya and V Priyanka, and 19-year-old T Monisha – left a suicide note saying no action was taken despite numerous complaints filed against Subramanian. They added that they hoped their suicide would push authorities to finally act on the matter. They also alleged that the college lacked facilities despite charging a sizeable fee. A senior college officer confirmed that students had been demanding better facilities besides protesting against the fees.

Local television channels reported that the victims' parents blame their deaths entirely on the college management and want appropriate action be taken against them. They have demanded a Central Bureau Investigation probe in the matter, wanting to know how the Health Ministry and Dr MGR Medical University, to which to college is affiliated, can be allowed to run a "bogus medical college".

The parents also plan to launch a protest along with college students on Sunday. "[We] request all to stand in solidarity with [the] three students who have been victims of [the] management’s apathy,' M Tamilarasan, the father of one of the deceased students, told ANI.

Police said the bodies of the three girls were sent for autopsy. They will be handed over to their parents upon their return. Deputy Inspector General of Police of Villupuram range Anisa Husain said a team headed by the district superintendent of police was investigating the case. According to officials, Subramanian is absconding, while her son Sukhi Verma was arrested.