In a deeply distressing incident, a 25-year-old postgraduate medical student allegedly died by suicide by hanging herself at the hostel of the Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (DIMHANS) on Wednesday morning, police said.

Suicide discovered by hostel roommate

The deceased has been identified as Pragnya Palegar, a native of Shivamogga. She was staying in the DIMHANS hostel with a roommate. The incident came to light when the roommate returned to the hostel room on Wednesday morning and found her hanging. College authorities and police were immediately informed.

Police officials said a case has been registered at the Dharwad sub-urban police station, and post-mortem formalities have been completed.

Recently joined MD Psychiatry course

DIMHANS Director Dr Arunkumar C said Pragnya had joined the MD Psychiatry postgraduate course on January 1 and had been residing in the hostel for only a few days. He said the institution was shocked by the tragic development.

“After taking admission, she reportedly lost interest in the psychiatry subject. Her parents had come to Dharwad recently to counsel her and persuade her to continue her studies. However, we do not know what exactly transpired,” he said.

Family says no academic pressure

Pragnya’s mother, Dr Rekha, an anatomy professor, said her daughter had taken admission out of her own interest and that there was no pressure from the family. She said Pragnya later expressed disinterest in the course, which the family initially believed was part of early adjustment stress commonly faced by postgraduate students.

“We came to Dharwad, spoke to her and reassured her that things would improve gradually. We returned to Shivamogga yesterday. She ended her life the very next morning,” she said, adding that the family is devastated by the loss of their only daughter.

Police investigation underway

Inspector P R Gangenahalli said preliminary information suggests academic disinterest may have contributed to the incident, though further investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

The incident has once again raised concerns about mental health stress among medical students, even within specialised mental health institutions.