JAMMU, July 26: In a tragic incident that has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over student welfare, a 25-year-old woman from Jammu, pursuing her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree at a private institution in Rajasthan, allegedly ended her life due to persistent harassment by faculty members.
The deceased, identified as Shweta Singh, daughter of Balwant Singh, a police constable currently posted in Kashmir, hailed originally from Doda and was residing at Sarika Vihar, Paloura, Jammu. She was found hanging from the ceiling fan in her hostel room at Pacific Dental College and Hospital, located in Debari near Udaipur, Rajasthan.
According to initial reports, her roommates discovered her lifeless body and immediately alerted the police. She was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Sources confirmed that Shweta left behind a suicide note in her room, wherein she directly accused two faculty members “Nany ma’am” and “Bhagwat sir” of subjecting her to mental torture, leading her to take the extreme step. The note has since been recovered by the investigating authorities and is now a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing probe.
Shweta was the only daughter of her parents, and her sudden death has left the family, especially her father serving in a conflict-prone region, shattered beyond words.
In response to the note and mounting pressure from students, the college administration reportedly expelled the two accused faculty members. However, the issue appears far from isolated. Following the tragic event, dozens of students staged a protest on campus, alleging a pattern of systemic harassment by several members of the college’s faculty and administration.
The protesting students raised serious allegations, including:
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- Arbitrary failing of students in examinations
- Deliberate delays in conducting exams
- Demands for bribes in exchange for attendance and exam clearance
- Targeted discrimination against students from economically and socially weaker backgrounds
These claims have intensified calls for a thorough independent investigation into the functioning of the institution. Students have urged authorities to intervene, stating that the toxic environment within the college poses a serious threat to their mental health and academic careers.
Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to transport Shweta Singh’s mortal remains to Jammu, and the body is expected to arrive by Saturday morning. Her death has triggered an outpouring of grief and anger on social media, with many calling for stringent action against those responsible and a reform of campus policies to ensure the psychological safety of students.
Authorities in both Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir have been urged to take cognizance of the matter and ensure that justice is delivered without delay.