LUCKNOW: A second-year BDS student, Jyoti Sharma, 21, died by suicide allegedly due to harassment by faculty members at Sharda University in Greater Noida on Monday.
While the university suspended the two faculty members, they both were arrested by the district police as the victim had named them in her suicide note.
The student, who hailed from Gurugram, took the extreme step in the room of her hostel of the university, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Knowledge Park Police Station.
As per the local police sources, a suicide note was recovered from the scene, wherein, the victim accused her teachers of harassment and humiliation calling them behind her taking the extreme step.
The police sources claimed that the student, in her suicide note, mentioned the teachers of PCP and Dental Materials holding them responsible for her death, alleging that they mentally harassed and humiliated her, causing stress.
Dr Ajit Kumar, director, PR, Sharda University, while extending condolences and empathy for the victim’s family on behalf of the university, assured them that the guilty would be punished. “Two teachers named by the victim have been suspended and a high- level committee has been set up under the headship of University V-C to probe into the case and adequate measures would be taken on the basis of the probe report,” said Dr Kumar.
Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s family, police arrested the two individuals. The matter is currently under investigation, said officials.
“Two staff members from the management of the university have been arrested on the basis of the complaint lodged by the family members of the student," Additional DCP, Greater Noida, Sudhir Kumar, said.
As per the sources, the victim wrote: “If I die, in that case Mahendra Sir and Sherry Mam will be responsible for my death. They tortured me mentally and also humiliated me. I have been in depression because of their behaviour for a long time. I want them so suffer the same way as I am. …Sorry.. I can not bear it anymore… .”
She sought the authorities to hold them accountable and face consequences in case of her death.
The body of Jyoti was found hanging from the ceiling fan in her room at the 12th floor of the university’s girls hostel. She allegedly committed suicide at 7 pm on Friday when she was alone in the room as the three other students, staying with her, had gone out.
The incident came to light, when Jyoti’s room mates returned and knocked the door but got no response. As they pushed the door of the room it opened and Jyoti’s body was found hanging from the ceiling fan. The victim’s friend then informed the warden and, in turn, the police authorities were informed about the incident.
Following the incident, tensions escalated on campus as students assembled and started staging protests, demanding accountability of the college authorities.
A heated exchange also broke out between police personnel and protesting students. The incident comes close on the heel of the death of a college student in Odisha’s Balasore district after setting herself on fire allegedly over harassment by a teacher.
She sustained severe burn injuries and later succumbed during treatment.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)