On Friday night, July 18, 2025, Jyoti Sharma, a 21-year-old second-year BDS student, was found dead in her hostel room at Sharda University, Greater Noida. Her family alleges she was mentally tortured by faculty for years, a claim supported by her suicide note.
Family and Police Actions
The family accuses faculty of humiliation and threats, leading to her death. Police have arrested two faculty members, Shayri Vashisht and Mahinder Singh Chauhan, with more arrests pending. Charges include abetment of suicide and evidence tampering.
University Response
Sharda University suspended the arrested faculty and formed an inquiry committee, claiming cooperation with authorities, but the family disputes this, alleging evidence tampering.
Public and Legal Reaction
Students protested, and social media shows widespread outrage. The family demands justice and university license revocation, highlighting mental health concerns in educational institutions.
Detailed Report on the Sharda University Suicide Case
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the tragic suicide of Jyoti Sharma, a 21-year-old second-year BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) student at Sharda University in Greater Noida, and the subsequent allegations by her family. The incident, occurring on the night of Friday, July 18, 2025, has sparked significant public and legal attention, raising concerns about mental health, faculty behavior, and institutional accountability in educational settings. The following sections detail the incident, allegations, responses, and broader implications, based on available news reports as of 07:07 PM IST on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
Incident Details
Jyoti Sharma was found dead in her hostel room, Room 1209 on the 12th floor of the Mandela Hostel, by her roommate around 9 pm on Friday, July 18, 2025. She was rushed to Sharda Hospital and declared brought dead on arrival. The police were informed, and her body was sent for postmortem to determine the cause of death, which was confirmed as suicide by hanging. This incident has drawn significant attention due to the allegations of mental harassment and the contents of her suicide note.
Family Allegations
Jyoti’s family has accused the Sharda University administration and faculty of subjecting her to mental torture for 2-3 years, which they claim led to her tragic decision. Specific allegations include:
- Repeated humiliation in class, with faculty members taunting her about her wheat allergy and other health issues.
- Threats of academic failure, including being threatened with being prevented from exams and practicals.
- False accusations of forging signatures on assignments, adding to her distress.
- The family also claims the university tampered with evidence, removing her body from the scene before police arrival, and alleges the administration ignored prior complaints.
Her father had met with the dean, Head of Department (HOD), and other faculty on July 14, 2025, to discuss Jyoti’s deteriorating mental state, receiving verbal assurances, but the harassment reportedly continued. The family’s statements, including from her brother and mother, emphasize the intense pressure she faced, with the mother calling for justice and intervention from higher authorities like CM Yogi and PM Modi.
Suicide Note and Specific Accusations
Jyoti’s suicide note, a critical piece of evidence, directly blamed two faculty members—Assistant Professor Shayri Vashisht and Associate Professor Mahinder Singh Chauhan—for mental harassment and humiliation. She described their behavior as toxic, holding them responsible for her death, and expressed her inability to cope, stating, “I am sorry, I can’t live like this anymore.” The note also mentioned wanting the accused to be held accountable, highlighting the severity of her allegations.
Police and Legal Actions
Following the family’s complaint, the police arrested Shayri Vashisht and Mahinder Singh Chauhan on Saturday, July 19, 2025. They have been charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 108: Abetment of suicide
- Section 238: Causing disappearance of evidence
- Section 79: Insult to modesty
- Section 352: Intentional insult
- Section 351(2): Criminal intimidation
The arrested faculty members have been sent to 14 days of judicial custody. Additionally, five other individuals have been named in the FIR, including Dean M Siddharth, Professor Anurag Hasti, Assistant Professor Surabhi Duggal, and HOD Ashish Chaudhary. The police have deployed a team on campus, inspected the room, reviewed CCTV footage, and used mild force to disperse a crowd on Saturday morning. They have stated that the remaining culprits will be arrested within a week.
University Response and Actions
Sharda University has taken several measures in response to the incident:
- Suspended the arrested faculty members, the dean, and two other professors (excluding the HOD).
- Constituted a high-power inquiry committee under the pro vice-chancellor, with a report expected within five working days.
- Claimed to be fully cooperating with the authorities and expressed commitment to ensuring justice.
However, the family disputes the university’s cooperation, alleging evidence tampering and systemic negligence. The university’s actions have been seen as reactive, with students and the public questioning the institution’s prior handling of harassment complaints.
Family’s Demands and Broader Implications
Jyoti’s family is demanding justice, calling for the arrest and punishment of all those involved, including the university administration. They have also demanded the revocation of Sharda University’s license, citing the institution’s failure to protect its students. The family’s calls for action have been supported by public sentiment, with figures like Priyanka Gandhi commenting on the incident, describing it as discouraging for girls and highlighting the need for systemic change.