Bengaluru dental college suspends six teachers following student’s death by suicide

NEW DELHI: Six faculty members of a dental college here have been suspended by the management pending further inquiry into the death of a 23-year-old student by suicide. In an official communication dated January 12, Bengaluru-based institution, The Oxford Dental College, said that the inquiry in the matter would continue and that the suspension would remain in force till further notification.

The suspended faculty members include senior lecturers Anmol Razdan, Shabana Banu, Faika Kolkar and Alba Dinesh, Reader Sindhu R, and Professor Sushmini Hegde, all from the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, the communication said. The action comes after a third-year dental student of the college, Yashaswini, was found hanging at her residence here on Friday.

Students protest outside morgue demanding action

Family members have accused the college management of harassing her, alleging that she was subjected to humiliation, which drove her to take the extreme step. She was the only child of her parents, Parimala and Bhudevaiah, police added. According to her mother, Yashaswini had taken leave on Wednesday, citing eye pain.

When she returned to college the following day, she was allegedly humiliated in front of other students for not participating in a seminar, her mother alleged. Following Yashaswini's death, aggrieved students staged a sit-in protest outside the morgue, demanding action against those responsible. Police said a case has been registered in connection with the incident, and further investigation is underway.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.