UK varsity representatives visit Jyothirmayi's parents

Vijayawada, May 16 (UNI) Three representatives from the Wolverhamption University in the UK today met the parents of Vempala Samrajya Jyothirmayi, who was killed in Birmingham on May 6 to convey their condolences.

University International Office Director Jo Gittens, Marketing and Communications Director Ashar Ehsan and Regional Head-South Asia Pragyat Singh visited the bereaved family members and promised to consider the reimbursement of the tuition fee, amounting to Rs six lakh, paid by Jyothirmayi for pursuing the 18-month Master of Public Health (MPH) Post-Graduate Course in the university.

They recalled that she was a bright, hardworking and intelligent student and maintained good relations with fellow students and teachers.

The body would be brought here on May 22 and university officials would attend the funeral, they said.

A book containing condolence messages from the students and staff of the University and letters from University Vice-Chancellor Caroline Gipps and Industrialist Lord Swaraj Paul were handed over to her parents.

Jyothirmayi, a 23-year-old student of the University, was found dead in a private house in Birmingham where she was staying with three other students from Andhra Pradesh.

The post-mortem report had established that she died of head injuries.

It was suspected that N Nagaraju of the same University, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, had beaten her to death. He was later arrested and a court in Birmingham had refused bail to him on grounds that the charge was of a serious nature.

Nagaraju, who was remanded to custody, would be produced before the Birmingham Crown Court today. The university had also suspended him.

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