'Sorry, I can't live anymore…’: Sharda University BDS Student Dies by Suicide in Hostel Room; 2 Faculty Members Arrested

Sorry, I can't live anymore. They mentally harassed me; they humiliated me. Because of them, I’ve been in depression for a long time..." These were the final words written by Jyoti, a BDS student at Sharda University, in her suicide note. She died by suicide in her hostel room at Mandela Girls Hostel in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The incident has shocked people across the country and raised questions about mental harassment in educational institutions.

Jyoti, a second-year BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) student at Sharda University in Greater Noida and a resident of Ashok Vihar, Gurugram, died by suicide on Friday. She was found hanging in her room at the Mandela Girls Hostel. She also left behind a suicide note in which she held two professors responsible for her death. Both professors have now been suspended. The police are investigating the matter.

In the suicide note, Jyoti wrote:

"If I die, the PCP and Dental Medical faculty will be responsible—specifically Mahendra Sir and Sherry Ma’am.

Jyoti further wrote:

"I want them to be jailed. They mentally harassed me; they humiliated me. I’ve been suffering from depression because of them for a long time. I just want them to feel the same pain I went through. Sorry, I can't live anymore."

Following the incident, the family and students created an uproar. Students staged a protest demanding justice. During the protest, there was a heated exchange between the police and the students.

Jyoti was alone in the room during the incident

According to information, Jyoti was alone in her room on Friday evening. Her roommates had gone out. Around 7 PM, a student returned and found the door locked from the inside. She informed the police that it opened after she pushed it twice. She saw Jyoti hanging. She immediately informed the warden and other students.

Students reported that Jyoti was disturbed due to being falsely accused of forging a signature. The situation had caused her considerable mental distress. For three consecutive days — Thursday, Friday, and Saturday — she was thrown out of the PCP (Pre-Clinical Prosthodontics) department. Her file had been submitted to the HOD.

How can someone endure so much torture?

Students said the HOD had told her, "Call your parents; you signed the file yourself." On Monday, her parents came, after which Jyoti got her file back. On Friday evening, she was crying a lot. She was being threatened with failing. Students asked, "How can anyone endure so much torture?"