• Source:JND

Agra: The body of an MD student was found in her hostel room at the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra on Sunday evening, jagran.com reported. It is suspected that she died by suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills. In February this year, Dr Vartika Singh had accused a senior resident of the hospital of harassing her. The senior resident was cleared by the institute's management committee following an investigation in the matter. 

Dr Vartika Was From Lucknow

Dr Vartika, a resident of Lucknow, enrolled in the MD program at the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital on February 22 this year after completing her MBBS. She lived on the first floor of the campus hostel. At 11 am on Sunday, her mother called up several times, but there was no response from Dr Vartika.

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Body Found After Breaking The Hostel Door

At around 6 pm, the mother called Dr Siddharth Thakur and Dr Sana Rabbani, who studied with Dr Vartika. They were asked to go to Vartika's room and check on her. When the two colleagues went to Dr Vartika's room, it was locked from inside. The warden was called and the door was broken open, where Dr.Vartika was found lying on her bed. Fellow doctors took her to the emergency room of SN Medical College, where doctors declared her dead.

Suicide By Drug Overdose Suspected

Preliminary police investigations revealed that Dr Vartika was mentally disturbed and had also attempted suicide on March 27, following which the institute placed her under observation. Upon informing her family, they took her to Lucknow.

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Dr Vartika Was Under Stress

The institute's director, Dr Dinesh Rathore, told the police that in February, the student had accused senior resident Dr Sarthak of misbehaving with her. Based on Dr Vartika's complaint, a committee of three doctors investigated the matter. The committee recorded statements, which found the allegations of misbehaviour unsubstantiated. The allegations were not proven. She was also undergoing treatment with a psychiatrist and taking medication.

Hariparvat Inspector Neeraj Kumar Sharma stated that Dr Vartika's family has been informed. Further action will be taken based on the post-mortem report and the family's complaint.

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