A tragic incident unfolded in Dehradun early Wednesday morning, when a 26-year-old medical college student was found dead inside her car with a cannula inserted in her left arm, attached to a small bottle. The woman, who had been studying at the college since September 2023, reportedly died by suicide after facing alleged harassment from the head of her department (HOD).
According to police reports, the student had a detailed conversation with her father after midnight on Wednesday, during which she recounted the harassment she was subjected to by the HOD. Her father later filed a First Information Report (FIR) accusing the HOD of abetment to suicide under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The father's complaint reveals that the woman was living in Dehradun with her mother and was in regular contact with her family. Around 9 pm on Tuesday, she spoke to her father for about an hour, describing in detail the threats and harassment by the department head. "She appeared to be very depressed," he said. Later, at 11:15 pm, the woman sent a message to her mother saying she would return home by 12:30 am. However, when she stopped responding to calls, her father went to Dehradun with his wife to look for her.
They found the woman's locked car parked beside a road near a local hospital. Unable to open the car as they did not have the spare key, her father broke the rear left window with a stone. Inside, they found her slumped in the driver's seat with a cannula inserted in her left arm connected to a bottle, and some injections scattered on the seat. She was unresponsive. The couple rushed her to the emergency ward, where doctors declared her dead.
The complaint alleges that the woman was driven to take her own life due to persistent mental, financial, and academic harassment by the HOD, who had taken charge in December 2025. The father stated that from the very first day, the HOD subjected his daughter to intimidation and threats, including instructing her not to communicate with the former HOD. He also claimed that the HOD awarded his daughter zero marks out of spite and threatened to fail her in exams. The father further alleged that he met the HOD several times, during which she demanded money from him.
Praveen Pundir, the investigating officer handling the case, confirmed that the police are conducting a thorough probe. Statements have been recorded from the woman's family and some staff members of the medical college. The police are reviewing her academic records and questioning staff members. Notices have been issued to officials for further questioning. The postmortem report is still awaited.
Meanwhile, the medical college has refrained from commenting on the case. However, in a letter addressed to the district Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the college principal stated that the student, named Tanvi, had been undergoing psychiatric treatment for a long time. The letter disclosed that Tanvi had expressed suicidal thoughts during her postgraduate studies and had attempted suicide twice before - once two years ago which required ICU admission, and again on December 31, 2025. The letter included call recordings with the HOD and details of actions taken following the second attempt.
The principal's letter also expressed concern that some individuals might be trying to exploit the situation by filing complaints against the hospital doctors to damage the institution's reputation. The letter warned that such actions could negatively impact the morale of the doctors.
The investigation continues as authorities seek to establish the full circumstances that led to the student's death. The case has raised significant questions about the pressures faced by medical students, the role of academic authorities, and the support systems available for those undergoing mental health challenges.
This incident has drawn attention to the wider issue of harassment and mental health struggles faced by students in demanding academic environments. It underscores the urgent need for institutions to provide effective counseling, transparent grievance redressal mechanisms, and a supportive atmosphere to prevent such tragedies.
Aiswarya Raj, a senior correspondent based in Dehradun, has reported extensively on regional issues including governance, gender, and public policy in Uttarakhand. Her coverage of this case aims to shed light on the complexities surrounding student welfare and institutional accountability in the region.