A 22-year-old medical student in Karnataka has died by suicide, with her family alleging that she was subjected to sustained mental harassment by classmates who spread rumours about her personal life. The incident has raised concerns about bullying and emotional distress among students.
The deceased, Nikhitha M U, was a final-year student of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) at a college in Malladihalli. According to a complaint filed by her father, Umashankar G N, who works as a headmaster, Nikhitha shared a cordial relationship with a lecturer, identified as Dr Raju. However, some classmates allegedly began spreading rumours suggesting an inappropriate relationship between the two.
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Her father stated that these claims led to repeated taunts and humiliation, causing severe emotional distress. Despite efforts by her parents to counsel her and encourage her to ignore the remarks and concentrate on her studies, the situation reportedly did not improve.
Unable to cope with the mounting stress, Nikhitha died by suicide at her residence on Wednesday around 11 am. A suicide note recovered from her room reportedly detailed the distress she had been facing.
Following the incident, a formal complaint has been lodged naming the classmates allegedly involved. The family has sought strict legal action against those responsible. The case has once again highlighted the urgent need to address harassment and mental health concerns among students.
