Bengaluru: The management of The Oxford Dental College has suspended six faculty members pending further inquiry following the death by suicide of a 23-year-old third-year dental student, an incident that has triggered serious allegations of harassment, student protests, and a police investigation.
In an official communication dated January 12, the Bengaluru-based institution said the suspensions would remain in force until further notification, while an internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the student’s death continues. The decision comes amid mounting pressure from the student community and the victim’s family, who have accused the college of subjecting the student to humiliation.
The suspended faculty members are Senior Lecturers Anmol Razdan, Shabana Banu, Faika Kolkar and Alba Dinesh, Reader Sindhu R, and Professor Sushmini Hegde. All six are attached to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, according to the college’s statement.
Student found dead at residence
The action follows the death of Yashaswini, a third-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) student, who was found hanging at her residence in Bengaluru on Friday. She was 23 years old and the only child of her parents, Parimala and Bhudevaiah, police said.
Her death sent shockwaves through the campus and sparked protests by fellow students, who alleged that she had been under severe mental stress due to her treatment at the college.
Police sources said that Yashaswini had taken leave from college on Wednesday, reportedly citing eye pain. According to her mother, when she returned to the institution the next day, she was allegedly reprimanded and humiliated in front of her classmates for not participating in a seminar.
Allegations of harassment
Family members have accused the college management and faculty members of harassment, claiming that the alleged humiliation deeply affected Yashaswini and drove her to take the extreme step. Her mother told the police that her daughter was distressed after the incident at college and appeared withdrawn.
The family has demanded strict action against those responsible, stating that academic pressure and public humiliation should not be normalised in professional institutions.
While the college management has not commented in detail on the allegations, it said the suspensions were a precautionary measure to ensure a fair and transparent inquiry.
Student protests intensify
Following Yashaswini’s death, aggrieved students staged a sit-in protest outside the morgue where her body was kept for post-mortem examination. The protestors demanded the arrest and dismissal of those responsible, along with institutional reforms to prevent harassment of students.
Students alleged that fear of academic repercussions often prevents them from speaking out against unfair treatment. Several protestors said Yashaswini was a diligent student and that her death highlighted the mental health challenges faced by students in professional courses.
The protest drew the attention of the police and higher education authorities, with officials assuring students that the matter would be investigated thoroughly.
Police investigation under way
Police confirmed that a case has been registered in connection with the incident and that statements from family members, students and college staff are being recorded. Investigators are examining whether there was any abetment to suicide and whether institutional norms were violated.
A senior police officer said that the probe would look into academic practices, disciplinary procedures and the specific events leading up to Yashaswini’s death. “All allegations are being examined, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on evidence,” the officer said.
Broader concerns over student mental health
The incident has once again brought the issue of student mental health and academic pressure into focus, particularly in medical and dental colleges where workloads are intense and expectations high. Education experts have repeatedly stressed the need for counselling services, grievance redressal mechanisms and sensitive handling of students.
Activists have also called for stricter oversight by regulatory bodies to ensure that teaching methods and disciplinary actions do not cross the line into harassment.
Conclusion
The suspension of six faculty members by The Oxford Dental College marks a significant step amid growing scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Yashaswini’s death. As police investigations and internal inquiries continue, the case has sparked a wider debate in Bengaluru’s academic circles about accountability, mental health support and the responsibility of educational institutions to safeguard the well-being of their students.
