India, April 23 -- A day after a 15 year-old student was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the hostel of a private institution in Odisha's Keonjhar district, police have detained three of his hostelmates, all juveniles, on the alleged charge of murder over classroom rivalry.

The victim, Jaladhar Mahanta, son of Jagabandhu Mahanta of Tangarpada village under Patna police limits in Champua block, was found dead in his hostel room late two days back. While initially it was suspected that Jaladhar could have had a heat stroke or heart attack leading to sudden death, subsequent probe by Town police revealed that he died due to asphyxiation after being strangulated by three of his fellow roommates.

As per preliminary investigation...