A 25-year-old postgraduate medical student was found dead inside her car in Dehradun in the early hours of Wednesday, in what police suspect to be a case of suicide.
The deceased, identified as Dr Tanvi, was pursuing a Master of Surgery in Ophthalmology at Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Sciences. She had been living in the city with her mother for the past three years.
Found Inside Locked Car Near Hospital
According to police, Dr Tanvi was discovered in the driver’s seat of her locked car, parked near a temple close to the hospital where she was on duty.
Investigators recovered empty medicine vials from the vehicle and believe she administered a toxic substance into her bloodstream using a cannula connected to a drip setup inside the car.
Police said the substance entered her body gradually, leading to her death before she could receive medical help. She was later taken to the hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Family Alleges Workplace Harassment
Dr Tanvi’s family has alleged that she was under severe mental stress due to harassment at her workplace.
Her father, an Ayurveda practitioner from Ambala, claimed that pressure from her Head of Department had deeply affected her mental health.
“She was very disturbed due to harassment. She was being pressured and even given zero marks despite performing well,” he said.
He added that on the night of the incident, she spoke to her brother and expressed distress. “She said she could not cope anymore and wanted to file a complaint,” he said.
When she stopped responding to calls, the family rushed to Dehradun. Her father said he found her unconscious inside the car and broke a window to reach her.
Police Begin Probe
Police have started an investigation based on the family’s complaint. Officials said all angles, including allegations of workplace harassment, are being examined.
A senior police officer confirmed that appropriate legal action will be taken after verifying the claims.
Institute Responds
The institute’s management stated that the student had a history of mental health issues and was undergoing treatment.
Officials said she had previously attempted self-harm and that her family was aware of her condition. They added that necessary medical support had been arranged earlier.
In a statement, the institute also cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, saying that “certain individuals” were trying to exploit the situation in a way that could harm the institution’s reputation.
