The victim recorded a video before taking the extreme step

HYDERABAD: Police in Hyderabad say a 19-year-old engineering student has died by suicide in his private hostel room after accusing his friends of extorting money from him to pay a bar bill.The second-year student, from Adilabad district and belonging to a Scheduled Tribe community, recorded a video message before his death on Sunday evening. In it, he claimed that his college friends harassed him and forced him to clear a bill of Rs 10,000 after a party.According to officials, the group had gathered at a bar in Medipally between 4pm and 8pm, where an argument broke out over payment.“It was after the party the boy returned to his hostel and took the extreme step. This is not a case of ragging. The suspects were charged with abetment to suicide, extortion, violation of SC&ST Act,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Malkajgiri Zone) PV Padmaja Reddy.Police teams are searching for the suspects named in the case.The incident has sparked concerns about peer pressure, harassment and the vulnerability of students living away from home.