A PhD scholar from Kerala [Images] pursuing doctoral studies at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur allegedly committed suicide by consuming cyanide.

The body of Abhilash J J was found on the terrace of a hostel in the IIT campus on Monday morning, police said.

Some cyanide and a suicide note, which said he was under depression, was recovered from his person, they said.

Abhilash had recently visited Germany [Images] as part of his PhD programme and his viva voce was scheduled for November 9.