Greater Noida: The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) department at Sharda University has been sealed and all scheduled examinations postponed following the alleged suicide of a 21-year-old dental student, Jyoti, inside her hostel room. The tragic incident has sparked widespread student protests and demands for a magisterial inquiry into alleged academic harassment by faculty members.
Jyoti, a resident of Etah district, was found dead in her hostel on Friday evening. A handwritten suicide note recovered from the scene allegedly named several professors and detailed the mental distress she faced, citing repeated humiliation and pressure related to an academic assignment.
Allegations of Faculty Harassment
Police sources indicated that Jyoti was reportedly reprimanded and pressured for refusing to sign a document linked to her academic work. This confrontation, combined with earlier grievances, is believed to have contributed to her deteriorating mental state.
Students and family members have accused faculty of ignoring multiple complaints regarding academic bullying. Several students claim Jyoti had confided in friends, saying she felt targeted by specific faculty members and was emotionally exhausted.
She cried every day. We could see her breaking. If someone had supported her, she might have been alive today.
Mother
Campus in Turmoil
On Sunday, police sealed the School of Dental Sciences building, with security forces deployed to maintain order. Students protested near the main gate, demanding justice for Jyoti and action against those named in the suicide note.
Many hostel residents reportedly left the campus fearing similar mental trauma and citing a lack of support systems for students facing academic pressure.
Investigation and Demands for Independent Probe
A formal FIR has been registered, and the police have begun questioning the hostel warden and university faculty. Jyoti’s mobile phone has been sent for forensic examination. Meanwhile, the university has formed a disciplinary committee to conduct an internal probe and has suspended all classes in the dental department.
However, students and Jyoti’s family have rejected the internal investigation, calling it biased. They are demanding a magisterial-level inquiry to ensure transparency and justice.
We don’t trust the university to investigate its people. This must be done by independent authorities.
Students
University’s Response
The university administration released a short statement expressing grief over Jyoti’s death and promised full cooperation with the police. However, it refrained from commenting on the allegations against the faculty.
Final Rites and Ongoing Vigil
Jyoti’s body has been handed over to her family and taken to her native village in Gudaun, Etah, for last rites. The atmosphere on campus remains heavy with grief and tension, as students continue to demand accountability and systemic change.