First-year MBBS student of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College ends life, students allege harassment, demand resignation of Anatomy Faculty

Bhagalpur: In an unfortunate incident, a first-year medical student of the 2022 batch of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, Bhagalpur, committed suicide by hanging himself with the help of a skipping rope in his hostel room on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Rajeev Ranjan. He was studying for MBBS at the medical college. 

Students at the medical college alleged that Ranjan's depression was caused by the alleged trauma and mental stress inflicted upon him by the toxic management and teachers of the Anatomy department. He was having a hard time coping with the recent exam results, as he had reportedly failed in two to three papers. 

Initially, he was not allowed to take the exam, but the department eventually permitted him to do so just a week ago. This caused him extreme distress as he feared that his lack of time for studying might result in another failed attempt at the exam, as claimed by his peers. 

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The incident took place in the evening when his roommate left for the library at around 1 pm after having lunch with the deceased at 12.30 pm. Moments later, the medico called his roommate and asked whether he reached the library. As soon as his roommate affirmed that he had reached the library, the medico disconnected the call. 

When his roomate reached the hostel from the library in the evening, the room was locked from inside and there was no response upon knocking . After this, he called the senior and others and informed them. Upon their arrival, they grew concerned and decided to forcefully open the door. To their utter shock, they discovered the medico's lifeless body hanging from a noose inside the room.

Subsequently, the college authorities informed the police. On receiving information about the incident, the Burari police reached the spot for investigation along with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team at the direction of SSP Anand Kumar. 

During the investigation, the police found no suicide note. Hence the reason behind this extreme step is unknown. His body was taken to hospital for postmortem but the autopsy will be conducted once his family reaches Bhagalpur. 

As per Hindustan reports, the deceased's father works as a labourer and he was the third among four brothers.

In response to the death of the classmate,  the angry students of the medical college created a ruckus and raised slogans outside the hostel. Demanding justice for Ranjan, a candlelight march was organized on the campus. The college administration was accused of subjecting him to alleged mental harassment, which led to a significant number of students joining the march, shouting slogans against management and demanding the resignation of the HOD of the Anatomy Department. 

In a letter to the National Medical Commission, the students alleged that the teachers of the Anatomy Department continuously harassed and mentally tortured the deceased student. They further claimed that the teachers intentionally did not send the student for the professional exam scheduled on 5th October due to which he was in grieved distress. He was permitted to take the exam on 8th November. 

"This type of mental stress prevails in every department of our college, especially in Anatomy where teachers feel sadistic pleasure by giving pain and psychological trauma to students. Due to this extreme torture and pressure, our beloved batchmate committed suicide on 2.12.23. I fear that if no action is taken today then this incident may repeat in future," the letter reads.

Apart from seeking justice for Ranjan, the students also informed NMC in the letter about their college lacking basic amenities which they demand should be provided to them. 

In a separate letter addressing the principal or superintendent of JLNMCH, the first-year medical students demanded the resignation of the HoD and postponement of 1st professional exam of the 2022 batch as they claimed that they are mentally struggling to take the exam amid the incident. 

They also demanded the college authorities provide a compensatory amount from the college student fund to the deceased family. In addition, they also called for the establishment of a committee to determine the cause of his death. 

Many students and friends who are currently seeking justice for him mourned his death. The unfortunate passing of Ranjan has caused a significant loss to the medical fraternity. Doctors have also expressed their support and called for justice to be served in his case.

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