'Not Because Of University Pressure' : NLUO On Student's Suicide

The administration of the National Law University Odisha (NLUO) has said that the suicide of a second year law student of the University was due to personal reasons.

The student belonging to Scheduled Tribe community and hailing from Haryana was reportedly found dead in her room in the Girls' hostel on Monday (April 4) night following which she was rushed to the S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. However, the doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.

The police authorities have initiated an investigation into the case and have sent the body for a post-mortem examination.  

Speaking to LiveLaw, Dr. Yogesh P. Singh, Registrar of NLUO, stated that the deceased student had left behind a suicide note and that the student was suffering from depression and was under medication for the same. 

Pertinently, the Registrar said that the father of the deceased student has made it categorically clear that he did not have any objections against the university authorities. The parent had also intimated that the deceased student was suffering from depression for a long time, the Registrar said further. 

The Registrar further stated that he had been informed by the father of the deceased student that even at home she was socially recluse and did not interact with her relatives and friends much. 

"There was no link with the administration..it is completely baseless that she committed suicide because of University pressure", the Registrar underscored refuting allegations by students that the university administration was complicit due to poor handling of examination and academic affairs. 

Responses to allegations levelled by Student Council of NLU Odisha

In a press release, the Student Council of NLU Odisha, on Tuesday had alleged that while the issue was being discussed with Vice Chancellor Prof. Ved Kumari on Monday night,  she had purportedly called the police on the students who had assembled peacefully.

Denying such an allegation, the Registrar stated that the police authorities including the DCP, Cuttack had come to campus on Monday night pursuant to the directions of the Chancellor Chief Justice S.Muralidhar in order to ensure that nothing untoward happens. The police authorities were not called to intimidate the students in any manner, the Registrar said further. 

It was further stated that the police authorities as per protocol were instructed to patrol the premises ever since the incident occurred. 

"Police was not called for lathi charge..police was only there to ensure that nothing untoward happens", he remarked.

Further responding to allegations in the press release that the unconscious student had been carried by the students in an ambulance to the nearest hospital, the Registrar underscored that other faculty members as well as hostel staff had accompanied the students on their way to the hospital. 

He stated that the Vice Chancellor had reached the concerned hospital almost immediately after hearing the tragic news and was there until 1am at night. The Registrar highlighted that the Vice Chancellor along with 2 faculty members and hostel wardens were present at the concerned hospital throughout.

The Student Council of NLUO had also contended that all subsequent efforts to soothe the petrified batchmates and panic-stricken students, arranging for food and relocation of traumatised batchmates and students had been done by the student body only. 

Responding to such allegations, the Registrar mentioned that the Student Council members had proposed the idea to shift female students from Girls Hostel 2 (where the incident occurred) to Girls Hostel 1 and he had thereafter agreed to such a suggestion and had extended all possible assistance. 

It was stated that the students themselves had initiated the relocation process by shifting belongings and stated that faculty members and hostel wardens were present when the relocation process was taking place. 

"It is not like they asked for help and we did not offer", the Registrar said dismissing such allegations. 

He further informed that faculty members are being asked to spend the night on campus in order to provide assistance to students who are currently under shock.