File image of emergency gate of State-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital
| Photo Credit: ANI

A second-year MBBS student from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital has been found dead in her room at the Kamarhati ESI Hospital. The incident was reported on Friday (January 31, 2025) and the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate has registered a case of unnatural death.

The post-mortem was conducted at Sagore Dutta Hospital and Medical College. According to reports the student was not responding to calls, and her mother broke open the room. Her mother is a doctor at Kamarhati ESI Hospital.

There is as yet no clarity on the cause of death. There is apprehension that the student could have died of suicide. There are no reports of a suicide note. Students said the deceased was well behaved and kept to herself.

The incident has raised questions on the mental health of doctors, particularly at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the rape and murder of a doctor on August 9, 2024 left the State reeling. On January 20, 2025, the Additional District and Sessions Judge sentenced the convict, Sanjay Roy, a former civic police volunteer, to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of the post graduate trainee doctor.

Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the suicide prevention helpline numbers in Kolkata: 033-24637401 and 033-24637432 or the numbers available in this link