Tragedy Strikes GMC Jammu as Medical Student Found Dead in Hostel
JAMMU, April 27: In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the academic community, a 22-year-old MBBS student was found dead in his hostel room at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu earlier today. The deceased, identified as Falak Syed Khan, son of Mohammad Syed Khan from Mendhar in Poonch district, was reportedly discovered hanging from the ceiling fan in his locked hostel room.
According to police sources, the grim discovery was made after Khan’s fellow students grew concerned when he failed to respond to repeated knocks on his door at the college’s Boys Hostel. After unsuccessful attempts to reach him, the alarmed students immediately notified hostel authorities and local police. Law enforcement officials arrived promptly and were forced to break open the door, where they encountered the heartbreaking scene.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu, while confirming the incident, stated that Khan was immediately rushed to the GMC Jammu emergency ward, where attending physicians pronounced him dead on arrival. “The body has been sent for post-mortem examination as per standard procedure in such cases,” the SSP added.
Preliminary investigations suggest no foul play was involved, though police have registered the case under Section 174 of the CrPC (unnatural death) and launched a comprehensive inquest to determine the circumstances that led to this extreme step. Investigators are examining multiple angles, including academic pressure, personal issues, and possible mental health concerns.
“We are speaking to his classmates, faculty members, and reviewing his personal belongings to understand what might have driven him to take such a drastic step,” revealed an investigating officer on condition of anonymity. “His mobile phone and laptop have been seized for forensic examination.”
The tragic incident has cast a pall over the medical college campus, with students and faculty expressing shock and disbelief. “Falak was a bright student who always participated actively in academic discussions. We never noticed any signs of distress,” shared one of his batchmates, visibly shaken by the tragedy.
College authorities have announced counseling services for traumatized students while extending full cooperation with the police investigation. “This is an extremely painful incident for our institution. We are providing all possible support to the bereaved family,” said GMC Jammu Principal Dr. Shashi Sudhan Sharma.
Mental health experts have seized the moment to highlight the increasing stress levels among medical students. “The rigorous academic pressure, coupled with isolation from family and high expectations, can become overwhelming,” noted Dr. Arvind Karwani, a prominent psychiatrist. “Educational institutions must prioritize mental health support systems.”
As the police continue their investigation, Khan’s body has been handed over to his grieving family after completion of legal formalities. The last rites are expected to be performed in his native Mendhar village tomorrow.
This incident marks the third such case among Jammu’s student community in the past eighteen months, raising urgent questions about mental health infrastructure in educational institutions across the region.
