In a tragic incident that has raised serious questions about institutional accountability and justice, a 25-year-old dental student’s suicide in Udaipur has exposed allegations of academic harassment at Pacific Dental College and Hospital. A final-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student, Shweta Singh, took her own life on the night of July 24. Hailing from Jammu, Shweta was found hanging in her hostel room around 11 PM by her roommate, who immediately alerted authorities. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she was declared dead on arrival. The discovery of a four-page suicide note in her room, accusing two faculty members of relentless mental harassment and academic mismanagement, has plunged the institution into controversy and ignited widespread protests among students. This tragic event, unfolding as the Supreme Court of India deliberates on the pressing issue of campus suicides, underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms in educational institutions to address student mental health and institutional accountability.
Shweta Singh, the only daughter of a police constable from Jammu, left behind a detailed suicide note that paints a chilling picture of the academic and emotional turmoil she endured at Pacific Dental College. In her note, she explicitly named two faculty members, referred to as “Naini Ma’am” and “Bhagwat Sir,” accusing them of subjecting her to mental torture for over two years. She detailed a litany of grievances, including delayed examinations, academic mismanagement, and being forced to take internal exams alongside junior batches despite being a final-year student. Shweta expressed deep frustration over the lack of clarity regarding her degree completion, writing, “Our batchmates became interns long ago; it’s been over 2-3 months for them. But we’re still stuck in the final year. They said we’d finish exams in two months—it’s been over two years.”
Her note also alleged that the college engaged in corrupt practices, passing students who paid money despite not attending classes, while honest students faced relentless harassment. “They tortured us so much, they ruined my career,” she wrote, adding, “I’m not in a state to explain anymore. I wanted to be free from this headache, and now I am.” Her final plea was a cry for justice: “If there is justice in India, please put Bhagwat in jail permanently. Let him feel the same torture that students are going through.”
The incident has sparked outrage among students at Pacific Dental College, who took to the campus on the morning of July 25, to stage a protest demanding justice for Shweta. Large groups of students gathered, staging a dharna and raising slogans against the college administration, accusing it of gross negligence and fostering a toxic academic environment. Protesters alleged that the college was now pressuring them to end their demonstrations, attempting to suppress the truth. The students’ demands were clear: immediate legal action against the faculty members named in the suicide note and a thorough investigation into the college’s administrative practices. The Sukher police station, which responded to the incident, sealed Shweta’s hostel room and initiated a probe, with plans to question faculty members and scrutinize administrative records. While no formal charges have been filed yet, authorities have assured that all aspects, including potential institutional negligence, will be thoroughly investigated.
In response to the mounting pressure, the college administration acted swiftly, announcing the suspension of the two accused faculty members, Naini Ma’am and Bhagwat Sir, on July 25, 2025. Rahul Agrawal, Chairman of Pacific Group, issued a statement assuring students that their concerns were being taken seriously and that the issues would be addressed within two to three months. Following this action, the student protests subsided, but the incident has left an indelible mark on the institution’s reputation. The suicide note’s allegations of academic corruption, including claims that students who paid additional fees were favored, have raised serious questions about the integrity of the college’s operations. Shweta’s accusations of deliberate delays in examinations and unfair treatment of diligent students highlight a broader issue of systemic flaws in private educational institutions, where financial incentives may overshadow academic integrity.
The tragedy has also drawn significant attention from political figures and activists, who have called for immediate action and broader reforms. Shanta Prince, Vice President of the Rajasthan Women’s Congress, condemned the incident, stating, “This is a painful and reprehensible event. The allegations in the suicide note directly question the education department. Is education now a business driven by greed?” She demanded the immediate cancellation of the college’s registration and stringent action against those responsible. National Congress leader Alka Lamba also expressed outrage on social media, urging swift justice and accountability. The incident has reignited debates about the state of education under the current BJP government in Rajasthan, with critics pointing to a shift from the previous Congress government’s focus on accessible education to an environment where students face exploitation and harassment.
The Pacific Dental College incident has cast a spotlight on the darker side of private educational institutions, where academic mismanagement and alleged corruption can have devastating consequences. Shweta Singh’s final words serve as a haunting reminder of the toll that systemic failures can take on young lives. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on whether the authorities will deliver the justice Shweta sought and whether this tragedy will prompt meaningful reforms to safeguard students in India’s educational institutions.
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