A doctor from Karnataka, who was studying in Haryana’s Rohtak district, committed suicide after he was denied leave by his college
Haryana: A doctor from Karnataka, who was studying post-graduation at PGIMS in Haryana’s Rohtak district, allegedly committed suicide in his hostel room. This, after he was denied leave by the college.
30-year-old Onkar from Dharwad district in Karnataka allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from the hostel's ceiling on Thursday at 10.30 pm. Head of the department (HoD) of paediatrics and neonatology, Dr Geeta Gathwala had allegedly denied him leave.
Onkar had not left any suicide letter, but his friends and family have alleged Dr Geetha's harassment was the reason behind his extreme step.
The HoD has been arrested by the police after his fellow doctors complained against her for abetment of suicide. She was booked under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
32 doctors had filed a complaint with the police stating that Dr Geetha was harassing Onkar for the past two years.
The FIR read that Dr Geetha had caused Onkar mental harassment as she would often insult him in the presence of everyone.
The complainants also alleged that she had involved Onkar in a fake case of death by negligence (IPC 304A) to save herself.
Times of India reported that Onkar came from a middle-class family and that his father worked at an Indian Railways workshop.
Onkar was not well-off financially and he had not been paid his stipend for the last several months, according to sources. He was also stressed as he had no means to pay off the education loan he had availed for his studies, according to TOI reports.
The doctors at the institution have gone on an indefinite strike from Friday morning demanding the termination of Dr Geeta Gathwala, alleging that the students are suffering from her mental abuse. They have also demanded Rs 1 crore as compensation for Onkar's family. However, the HoD was suspended by the college authorities on Friday.
The doctors have also raised Rs 1.5 lakh to send Onkar's body by air to Karnataka.
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