Suicide or murder? Mystery surrounds death of Dr Subbanna Ayyappan, scientist behind India's Blue Revolution

First Post

14-05-2025

Padma Shri awardee and renowned fisheries scientist Dr Subbanna Ayyappan was found dead in the Cauvery River in Karnataka's Mandya district on May 10, just three days after he was reported missing by family. He did not know how to swim. Ayyappan was a key figure behind India's Blue Revolution, which dramatically boosted fish production across the coastal and inland regions read more
Dr Subbanna Ayyappan was a pioneering fisheries scientist and the driving force behind India's Blue Revolution. He was awarded with Padma Shri in 2022. He was now been found dead under mysterious circumstances. Image courtesy: X/@rashtrapatibhvn
Padma Shri awardee and renowned fisheries scientist Dr Subbanna Ayyappan, who had been reported missing for the past few days, was found dead on May 10.
His decomposed body was discovered in the Cauvery River near Sai Ashram in Srirangapatna, Mandya district of Karnataka.
While initial findings point towards a suspected suicide, with reports suggesting that Ayyappan may have jumped into the river, the police have stated that the exact cause of death remains uncertain, ANI reported.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The unexpected and mysterious demise of the 69-year-old scientist, who once spearheaded India's Blue Revolution, has left many in shock and searching for answers.
Here's a look at what is known so far.
Who was Dr Subbanna Ayyappan?
-Dr Subbanna Ayyappan was a pioneering fisheries scientist and the driving force behind India's Blue Revolution, a movement that significantly boosted the country's fish production.
-His scientific work in aquaculture not only transformed the fish farming practices but also improved food security and rural livelihoods across both coastal and inland regions.
-In 2022, he was honoured with the Padma Shri—India's fourth-highest civilian award—for his contributions to Science and Engineering. 'Dr Ayyappan made exemplary research contributions in the areas of aquaculture and aquatic microbiology,' said then President Ram Nath Kovind in a post on X.
President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Dr Subbanna Ayyappan for Science and Engineering. Dr Ayyappan made exemplary research contributions in the areas of aquaculture and aquatic microbiology. pic.twitter.com/maYG5ftoQI — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 21, 2022
-Throughout his decades-long career, Ayyappan held several prominent positions, including as the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). His appointment was historic as he became the first fisheries expert to head the institution, which had traditionally been led by crop scientists.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
-He also served as the director of the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar and the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) in Mumbai. He was also the founding CEO of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in Hyderabad and Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.
Throughout his decades-long career, Ayyappan held several prominent positions, including as the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). At the time of his passing, he was serving as chairperson of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). File image/ ANI
-He was also contributing to academic institutions. He was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Central Agricultural University (CAU) in Imphal, and at the time of his passing, he was serving as chairperson of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
- Born on December 10, 1955, in Yalandur, located in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district, Ayyappan had a distinguished academic path. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Fisheries Science from Mangaluru and later completed his PhD from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru.
Was 'institutional vendetta' behind Ayyappan's death?
Subbanna Ayyappan had been missing since May 7. He lived with his wife in Visvesvaraya Nagar, Mysuru, and was last seen leaving their flat on Akkamahadevi Road on a two-wheeler. When he failed to return home, his family filed a missing person's report at the Vidyaranyapuram Police Station.
A few days later, the police were alerted by a local resident who spotted a body floating in the Cauvery River near Srirangapatna. When officers reached the location, they confirmed it was Ayyappan.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Subbanna Ayyappan had been missing since May 7. Three days later, his body was floating in the Cauvery River near Srirangapatna. His mysterious and sudden passing of the scientist has raised several eyebrows. File image/ PTI
According to police, the body was in a decomposed state and did not show any external injuries. 'The body was in a decomposed state when it was retrieved from the water. It did not bear any injuries. He had left the mobile phone at home. Suicide cannot be ruled out,' a police official told The Hindu. He also reportedly did not know how to swim.
Further, there was no CCTV footage available, as the area was remote. 'The pond is approximately 100 metres long, and the motorcycle was found parked nearby,' Superintendent of Police (SP) Mallikarjun Bala Dandi told India Today. Ayyappan reportedly visited the area frequently, including nearby temples like Nimishamba and Ranganathaswamy.
The mysterious and sudden passing of the reputed scientist has raised several eyebrows.
Venugopal Badaravada, a former governing body member of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has claimed that the incident could be tied to 'deep-rooted corruption, irregular appointments, and abuse of power within ICAR, ASRB (Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board), and affiliated institutions.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Shockingly, Badaravada alleged that Ayyappan might have been a victim of 'institutional vendetta or administrative collapse.' He also revealed that he himself was removed from the ICAR governing body just two days before Ayyappan went missing, on May 5, and called the move 'unlawful' and lacking proper inquiry, reports Business Standard.
He has demanded a court-monitored CBI probe into Ayyappan's death. In letters addressed to PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Badaravada wrote, 'The conditions surrounding his untimely death are deeply troubling. His scooter was found abandoned, and the cause of his death remains unclear. These circumstances demand a court-monitored CBI investigation.'
Ayyappan's body was handed over to his family after a post-mortem was conducted at KR Hospital in Mysuru. His final rites were conducted with full state honours at the base of Chamundi Hills.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters
Tributes pour in from scientific communities
Messages of condolence have been pouring in from across the country, especially from the agricultural and scientific sectors.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
NABL-QCI, where Ayyappan last served as Chairman, said, 'We are deeply saddened to note the sudden demise of Padma Shri Subbanna Ayyappan… May his legacy continue to inspire and guide us.'
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) also paid tribute, saying, 'With deep sorrow, the ICAR family mourns the sad demise of Subbanna Ayyappan, former Secretary (DARE) and Director General, ICAR. May his soul rest in eternal peace!'
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) remembered him on X, writing, 'Deeply saddened by the passing of Padma Shri Subbanna Ayyappan… A true visionary in Indian fisheries and agricultural research, his pioneering work revolutionised the sector, uplifting countless farmers and fisherfolk.'
With input from agencies