Bengaluru PG Sprayed For Bed Bugs, Student Found Dead The Next Morning

Last Updated:October 23, 2025, 09:54 IST

The PG management had sprayed insecticide. When he returned to his room on Sunday night, he reportedly began to feel uneasy and was later found unresponsive the next morning.

Preliminary information suggests that the chemical might have contained a toxic compound commonly used for pest extermination but harmful to humans when inhaled in enclosed spaces (Image: Representative)

A 22-year-old B.Tech student from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, died in a Paying Guest (PG) accommodation in Bengaluru after allegedly inhaling toxic fumes from an insecticide sprayed to kill bed bugs. The victim, identified as Pavan, was staying in a PG under the limits of HAL Police Station in South-East Bengaluru.

According to police, the incident took place on Monday morning. The PG management had sprayed insecticide in several rooms while Pavan was away at his hometown. When he returned and slept in his room on Sunday night, he reportedly began to feel uneasy and was later found unresponsive the next morning.

What happened before the incident

Pavan had completed his engineering degree recently and was staying in Bengaluru while pursuing additional B.Tech coursework and preparing for interviews. Police said he had travelled to Tirupati a week earlier to visit family. During his absence, the PG owners arranged for pest control in his room and others to tackle a bed bug problem.

When he returned, Pavan is said to have gone straight to bed after a long journey, unaware that the room had been recently treated with chemicals. He was discovered unconscious the next morning by other residents, who alerted the management. The staff immediately informed the police and emergency services, but doctors later confirmed that he had died.

Police investigation and initial findings

Officers from HAL Police Station visited the PG and found traces of insecticide fumes in the room. Investigators suspect that the strong chemical concentration, combined with poor ventilation, may have led to suffocation. The room’s windows were reportedly shut when the incident occurred.

The police have sent Pavan’s body to Bowring Hospital for post-mortem examination to confirm the exact cause of death. Samples of the insecticide used have also been collected for laboratory analysis.

Preliminary information suggests that the chemical might have contained a toxic compound commonly used for pest extermination but harmful to humans when inhaled in enclosed spaces.

Pavan’s parents were immediately informed, and they reached Bengaluru on Monday evening. Police said a case has been registered and further inquiries are underway to determine whether negligence by the PG management or pest-control contractor played a role.

Students express concern over safety in PGs

The incident has triggered concern among students and working professionals living in private hostels and PGs across Bengaluru. Many have complained that pest control or cleaning work is often carried out without proper notification or safety measures.

Residents in the same PG told police that the management had not informed them about the spraying schedule or advised them to stay away for a few hours. “We often face bed bug issues, and chemicals are sprayed regularly. But no one told us to avoid the rooms or ventilate them before sleeping," one resident said.

Experts warn against unregulated chemical use

Environmental health experts say that unmonitored use of strong insecticides in confined spaces can be deadly. Certain fumigation chemicals release toxic gases that displace oxygen and can cause respiratory distress.

They recommend that pest-control work in residential buildings be done only by licensed operators, with at least six to eight hours of ventilation before re-entry.

Public health authorities have also urged PG owners and contractors to follow safety norms, use approved products, and notify occupants in advance.

A preventable tragedy

What began as a routine pest-control measure has ended in the loss of a young life. As police await the forensic report, questions remain over accountability and awareness. For now, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of how a simple lapse in precaution can turn a common household task into a fatal mistake.

News Desk

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...Read More

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

Read More

News india Bengaluru PG Sprayed For Bed Bugs, Student Found Dead The Next Morning