Latest news with #ShardaUniversity
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Police question 15 Sharda University faculty members in probe into 21-year-old student's suicide
Noida: Police have recorded statements of 15 faculty members at Sharda University in their investigation into circumstances in which a 21-year-old second-year student died by suicide on July 18. In her note, Jyoti Jhangra accused two faculty members of mental harassment. Both have since been arrested and are in judicial custody. The faculty members who police have taken statements from include the head of the department of the School of Dental Sciences and the dean, both of whom are named in the FIR filed at Knowledge Park police station on the basis of a complaint from Jyoti's father. Police are also waiting for the internal report of the university. That inquiry is being carried out by Sharda's internal complaints committee. Jyoti, a resident of Gurgaon, was found dead in her hostel room around 9pm last Friday. "If I die, the teachers of PCP and Dental Material are to blame. Mahinder Sir and Shairy Maam are responsible for my death. I want them to go behind bars. They mentally harassed me. They humiliated me. I was in stress because of them for a long time. I want them to face the same thing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo I am sorry. I can't live like this anymore. I can't," she wrote in the note. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida The two teachers she named – assistant professor Shayri Vashisht and associate professor Mahinder Singh Chauhan – were arrested. The four other faculty members named are dean M Siddharth, professor Anurag Hasti, assistant professor Surabhi Duggal and HOD Ashish Chaudhary. Besides section 108 (abetment of suicide), police have invoked charges under BNS sections 238 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender), 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation). "We have questioned faculty members on their experience of teaching her, how she was in class, and what they knew about her personal life. We will also speak to her classmates and those who lived in neighbouring rooms in the hostel," a senior police officer told TOI on Tuesday. "We are also questioning wardens, ambulance workers and university management staff," the officer added. Since the department has been sealed for the investigation, students had been asked to go home. The university's public relations director Ajit Kumar said regular activities started on the campus from Tuesday. But the bachelor of dental studies department will be opened after police and the ICC complete their investigation. The ICC report is expected by Thursday. Jyoti's diary, laptop, mobile phone and other belongings in her hostel room have been sealed according to protocols. The ICC, according to sources, has completed 80% of its inquiry and had taken statements from 35 individuals by Tuesday afternoon, including faculty members, students, wardens and other staff. "By Wednesday, the information collection process will be completed and the committee will proceed with compilation. Though the deadline to submit the report is Friday, the committee will fast-track the process and try to submit it by Thursday," an official said. A spokesperson for the university said the committee is focusing on two aspects. "First, how the academic involvement of the student was, her academic records, and attendance. Second, the hostel administration's role, security and hostel attendance. We will also look into whether she shared anything with her friends regarding mental health issues. CCTV footage will be thoroughly checked." Earlier, one of Jyoti's closest friends had told TOI that both the faculty members arrested had accused her of forging their signatures on her project files. While one of them had allegedly pulled her up before the entire class on July 10, the other, according to the friend, had humiliated Jyoti in the staff room when she had gone asking for his signature on July 18. Another faculty member who was present there had allegedly done the same. After this, Jyoti had a meltdown. Hours later, she was found dead.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Sharda University suspends classes after BDS student's death; protests called off amid pressure
All classes at Sharda University were suspended on Monday following the death of a 21-year-old Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student, who allegedly died by suicide in her hostel room in Greater Noida's Knowledge Park on Friday night. A condolence meeting organised in memory of the deceased BDS student at the Sharda University campus in Greater Noida on Monday. (HT Photo) The woman, a second-year BDS student from Gurugram, was found unresponsive in her room on the 12th floor of Mandela Hostel around 8.45pm. A handwritten note recovered from the scene reportedly contained serious allegations against faculty members, police said. Two professors were arrested on Sunday in connection with the case. The university subsequently suspended dean Dr M. Siddharth, assistant professor Shairy Vashist, and associate professor Mahinder Singh Chouhan—all of whom were named in the FIR—pending the outcome of the police investigation. Greater Noida's additional deputy commissioner of police, Sudhir Kumar, confirmed that an inquiry is underway. Student protests, scheduled to begin outside the dental department around 8am on Monday, were called off after students were reportedly warned by the college management not to participate. 'On Monday morning, we were informed that if we went ahead with the protest, strict action would be taken against us. We were told that it would affect our future studies,' said a BDS student who requested anonymity. Following the warning, students cancelled the protest and sent an email to the college administration assuring them that 'no dental students will be seen in any protest'. In a message to students and staff, college registrar Dr Vivek Kumar Gupta announced the suspension of all classes on Monday 'as a mark of respect and to allow the student community to cope with the recent unfortunate incident'. Dr Ajit Kumar, director of public relations at Sharda University, said that classes would resume on Tuesday and that exams scheduled to start on July 23 would continue as planned. 'The suspension of classes on Monday was a tribute to the deceased student,' he said. He added that a five-member committee had been formed to review the incident and that it was working on two standard operating procedures (SOPs)—one for students, aimed at preventing such incidents in the future, and another for professors, outlining their responsibilities, rights, and code of conduct. Dr Kumar also said that the committee found the deceased student had only 30% attendance. 'This was one of the findings of the internal investigation,' he said. However, the student's father refuted the university's claim. Speaking to HT, he said, 'Now they can build any story. When I visited the college on June 14, no issue was raised about her attendance. The only issue was a signature that my daughter had firmly denied giving.' He alleged that his daughter had been targeted for speaking out against certain professors. 'Out of 96 students, my daughter had the courage to oppose the inappropriate behaviour of some faculty members. That didn't sit well with them. They assured me they would not trouble her, but they continued to target her.' He added that she had not told him about an incident earlier that day. 'Had she informed me that they threw a manual at her, refused to sign her record, and threatened her with a backlog, I would have spoken to her—and perhaps she would still be alive.' He clarified that her attendance was low only in one subject due to a medical condition. 'She used to reach college late every Monday. All the medical documents had been submitted to the university,' he said. When asked whether the university had contacted the family after the incident, the father said, 'We have had no communication since then.' According to police, it was the student in the adjoining room who discovered the body and raised the alarm. Investigators are also looking into the 90-minute delay between the time the student was taken to the hospital and when police were informed.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Economic Times
Jyoti Jhangra Suicide: Timeline reveals how signature dispute and project file pressure could have led to tragic end at Sharda University
The tragic death by suicide of Jyoti Jhangra, a second-year BDS student at Sharda University, on July 18 has triggered an intensive investigation, with her project files central to understanding the circumstances. The 21-year-old's final week was marked by accusations of forging a professor's signature, a controversy that deeply affected her, according to Jyoti appeared to be recovering, even sporting a new haircut and attending all her classes. However, just hours before she was found dead in her hostel room, a visit to the staff room allegedly triggered a severe meltdown. Based on accounts from her close friends and batchmates, a clearer timeline of the events leading to her demise has 10The ordeal began on July 10 when Jyoti attempted to submit a denture sample for her dental material course, a submission requiring a professor's signature. An assistant professor, upon reviewing the file, accused Jyoti of forging a previous signature and refused to sign her current submission. "Jyoti was in tears after this," recounted a close friend. "The professor scolded Jyoti and asked her not to show her face in class again. Jyoti said she had not forged any sign. I told her to let it go but she was in distress."July 14The signature controversy prompted the university to summon Jyoti's father, Ramesh, to campus on July 14. While the university has not provided an official statement, Ramesh's account to the police, corroborated by Jyoti's friends, suggests an amicable discussion with the Head of the Department (HOD). They were reportedly "assured by the HOD that there will be no issues henceforth with her samples and obtaining signatures," a version echoed by Ramesh. This seemingly reassured both Jyoti and her father, who had also raised concerns about alleged harassment by teachers. However, Jyoti's friend revealed that despite the HOD's assurances, "Jyoti told me though the HOD spoke nicely to her father, the professors were still hostile to her. She was, however, coping and looked better after that day." This meeting led to the arrest of two faculty members, whom Jyoti specifically accused of mental harassment in her suicide note. Both are now in judicial 16The challenges continued on July 16. According to Ramesh's police complaint, an assistant professor in a preclinical prosthodontics (PCP) class allegedly reprimanded Jyoti, telling her she would be punished for "complaining too much." The nature of these complaints and their connection to Ramesh's meeting with the HOD remain 18On July 18, the day of her death, Jyoti seemed "alright" just 15 minutes before her 11 AM class, according to her close friend. With exams approaching, she used suspended class time to complete her lab samples. This led her to the staff room to seek a signature from a senior faculty was here that the accusations of July 10 allegedly resurfaced. "Jyoti was in anguish when she returned from the staff room. She told me the professor had told her, 'tum toh apna sign khud hi kar leti ho' (you sign your own projects) and made fun of her," shared her friend. She was told to rework her dental sample. Despite this, Jyoti attempted to get her PCP samples signed by another professor, only to face similar accusations of forging signatures. "She went back crying to the lab to redo her samples. Around 4pm, she said that she was going to her room," her friend was last seen by a fellow hosteller at Mandela between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM, where she "cried a lot." She advised her friend "to take both theory and practical seriously" before returning to her room. Around 9 PM, Jyoti was found dead. Unanswered questions and ongoing investigations The FIR, based on Ramesh's complaint, names the Dean of the School of Dental Studies, the HOD, and two additional faculty members, alongside the two arrested professors. Sharda University has initiated its own committee-led probe. Key questions remain unanswered. Why were Jyoti's project signatures repeatedly questioned? Was she indeed being targeted, or was there a previous instance of a "dodgy sign" as implied by the faculty? Her classmates deny any knowledge of such an instance, and the university has yet to comment.A faculty member, speaking generally, stated that "She was doing BDS, and to get a license, an audit takes place by a govt official. If her practicals were not up to the mark and the professors asked her to redo it, she should have taken things positively as it was for her betterment. If an audit finds practicals not up to the mark, even a college's license can be suspended and the affiliation can go for a toss." However, a classmate countered this, stating Jyoti's scores were not poor, having scored "368 out of 600 in the first year." The classmate added, "It is necessary to submit the project file before appearing in the written exam. Jyoti was under stress because she did not have a sign."The investigations by both the police and the university are expected to shed light on these critical uncertainties surrounding Jyoti Jhangra's tragic death.[With TOI inputs] Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm, please seek help immediately. You can find resources in India
News18
4 days ago
- News18
‘Make Rotis…': Culture Of Personal Insults Exists In Sharda University, Say Victim's Batchmates
Last Updated: A 21-year-old BDS student at Sharda University died by suicide, alleging harassment by faculty. Her note accused teachers of mental harassment. The death of a 21-year-old student at Sharda University in Greater Noida has left the campus, her family and batchmates in shock. The second year student of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at the university died by suicide on Monday, allegedly due to harassment by faculty members. The body of the student was found in the hostel room of the university, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Knowledge Park Police Station. The deceased student accused her teachers of harassment and humiliation in a suicide note. In her suicide note, the student held the teachers of PCP and Dental Materials responsible for her death, alleging that they mentally harassed and humiliated her, causing stress. She called for them to be held accountable and face consequences in case of her death. Meanwhile, her batchmates and friends echoed the concerns she pointed out in her note saying personal insults are common in the campus. Personal Insults Common In Campus Some friends of the deceased student narrated the ordeal to Times of India saying that the department of dental sciences had a 'culture of toxicity", primarily perpetrated by the two faculty members, who the victim mentioned in her final note. One of her batchmates shared her horrific experience and said that the two professors were in the habit of making demeaning comments for the smallest of mistakes. 'One day, I made a few minor errors in my project, and the professor said to me, 'tumse nahi ho payega, tum ghar ja ke roti banao (This is not for you. Go home and make chapatis)'. It was humiliating," she said, adding one of the professors, while scolding another student, had fumed, ' Chappal se marungi (will beat you up with a sandal)". Another student told the news outlet that the constant fear of getting humiliated leads to many of them often skipping their visits home, lest something holds them up and attendance is affected even by a day. 'Making personal comments and humiliation has been a culture in the dental wing for a while," she said. Batchmates Share Victim's Ordeal Some students also detailed the victim's final interaction with a professor. They said a professor accused her of forging signatures, and two professors also taunted her for complaining to her parents about the faculty. According to Indian Express report, her humiliation began last week when she went to Mahinder Singh Chauhan, a faculty member, to get her practical file signed. Her friend told the news outlet that when the student's turn came to get the file signed, the professor 'looked at the signature on her last practical work, and then claimed, 'These are not my signature… you have forged it'". 'She left in tears", the 21-year-old student's batchmate recalled, saying the student was asked to leave immediately when she denied forging any signatures. Following the incident, tensions escalated on campus as students staged protests, demanding accountability from the college authorities. A heated exchange also broke out between police personnel and protesting students. Seven people, including six university staff, have been booked in the case, and two faculty members named in the suicide note have been arrested. What's In The FIR? The student had complained to her father about being repeatedly humiliated in class by faculty members and threatened with academic consequences, according to the FIR seen by the Hindustan Times. The family told police that the student's father visited the university on July 14 after her daughter's complaint, and personally met the Dean, HOD and other faculty members, who assured him that she would not be harassed further. 'My daughter was under immense mental pressure because of how she was treated by certain faculty members. Despite my meeting with the university officials just days before, no action was taken. They gave verbal assurances but continued to harass her," the victim's father said. This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Sharda University Student Suicide: Victim's Father Alleges Mental Pressure By Faculty Members
A second-year BDS student at Sharda University in Greater Noida died by suicide, alleging harassment and humiliation by faculty members. The father of a second-year BDS student at Sharda University in Greater Noida, who died by suicide on Monday, said she was under intense psychological stress due to the way certain faculty members treated her. The body of the student was found in the hostel room of the university, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Knowledge Park Police Station. The deceased student accused her teachers of harassment and humiliation in a suicide note. Following the incident, tensions escalated on campus as students staged protests, demanding accountability from the college authorities. A heated exchange also broke out between police personnel and protesting students. Seven people, including six university staff, have been booked in the case, and two faculty members named in the suicide note have been arrested. What Did The FIR Say? The student had complained to her father about being repeatedly humiliated in class by faculty members and threatened with academic consequences, according to the FIR seen by the Hindustan Times. The family told police that the student's father visited the university on July 14 after her daughter's complaint, and personally met the Dean, HOD and other faculty members, who assured him that she would not be harassed further. 'My daughter was under immense mental pressure because of how she was treated by certain faculty members. Despite my meeting with the university officials just days before, no action was taken. They gave verbal assurances but continued to harass her," the victim's father said. The student was reportedly told that her work would not be approved and she would be barred from exams. The next day, she took the extreme step. Her father said she was 'tortured" and evidence regarding her death was also 'destroyed". The university has not issued any official statement in connection with the case yet. The incident comes days after a college student in Odisha's Balasore district died after setting herself on fire, allegedly over harassment by a teacher. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
