In a deeply disturbing incident, a 31-year-old medical student was found deceased in her hostel room at Gajra Raja Medical College in Gwalior on Saturday night, according to local authorities. The student, who was pursuing a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) in Neurology at Jayarogya Hospital (JAH), was discovered hanging in her room.Police searched the room but found no suicide note. However, her mobile phone has been seized for investigation. A panel of doctors will conduct the post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death. According to a Free Press Journal report, the victim has been identified as 31-year-old Dr. Rekha Raghuvanshi, a Neurology student ot Gwalior's JAH Hospital. According to hostel mates, Dr. Rekha had dinner and studied before going to bed. Around midnight, a classmate entered the room and found her hanging from the railing. She immediately informed the hostel warden.
Upon receiving the information, the hostel administration and college dean, Dr. RKS Dhakad, rushed to the scene. Police and forensic teams arrived soon after and sent the body to the mortuary. Dr. Rekha’s brother, Rohit, stated that he had spoken to her on Friday, but she had not mentioned any distress. Her father and brother arrived in Gwalior on Sunday morning and broke down upon seeing her body.
Last month a similar incident a reported in Kolkata after 26-year-old trainee doctor was found dead in her hostel room at the MJN Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district. The trainee doctor, a resident of Bihar’s Begusarai district, was pursuing a medical internship at the state-run MJN Medical College and hospital after clearing the bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBBS) examination. Police said that, prima facie, it appeared the man died by suicide. He was found hanging in the hostel room. However, his family alleged that he was murdered.Based on a complaint lodged by the deceased’s father, police have registered a murder case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS)
Police said that preliminary investigation didn’t indicate any foul play. “We were told by the college authorities that my brother has died by suicide. But when we reached the medical college, we got to know that he was found hanging but his feet were touching the ground. This indicates murder. Police have assured that they would probe thoroughly,” deceased’s brother said.
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Helpline Numbers:Tele Manas (Ministry of Health) – 14416 or 1800 891 4416; NIMHANS – 91 80 26995000 /5100 /5200 /5300 /5400; Arpita Suicide Prevention Helpline – 080-23655557; iCALL – 022-25521111 and 9152987821; Peak Mind – 080-456 87786; Vandrevala Foundation – 9999 666 555; COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ) – 0832-2252525.