Did a Sharda University Student Take Her Life Due to Faculty Harassment?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- A tragic incident highlights the need for mental health awareness in universities.
- Allegations of faculty harassment need serious consideration.
- Community protests reveal a demand for accountability.
- Law enforcement's role is crucial in addressing such sensitive cases.
- Preventative measures must be prioritized by educational institutions.
Greater Noida, July 19 (NationPress) A second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student at Sharda University was tragically found dead by suicide in her hostel room on Friday, as reported by officials on Saturday.
The student, hailing from Gurugram, Haryana, reportedly took her own life following prolonged mental harassment from faculty members.
This heartbreaking event has ignited protests on campus, resulting in the arrest of two educators.
The young woman was discovered hanging in her hostel room located on the university’s Knowledge Park campus.
A handwritten suicide note was found, directly implicating two faculty members—referred to in the note as Mahender Sir and Shairg Ma'am—for inflicting emotional turmoil that led her to this desperate act.
In the note, she stated: “If I die, the teachers of PCP and Dental Material will be responsible for this. Mahender Sir and Shairg Ma'am are responsible for my death. They mentally harassed me. They insulted me. I have been under stress for a long time. I want them to suffer the same. Sorry, I cannot live anymore.”
Upon notification, officers from the Knowledge Park Police Station quickly arrived, secured the hostel area, and sent the body for post-mortem examination.
A forensic team alongside senior police officials conducted a thorough investigation at the scene, gathering evidence from the room.
Following a complaint lodged by the student’s family, authorities filed an FIR and apprehended both faculty members under pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges of abetment of suicide.
In the aftermath of this incident, the student’s peers and family voiced their outrage, staging a protest against the university administration.
They claimed the student had endured prolonged mental harassment from certain faculty members, and despite multiple complaints, no action was taken.
Law enforcement officials managed to de-escalate the situation by engaging in discussions with students and their families. As of now, calm has been restored on campus, and the police are continuing with the necessary legal procedures.