MBBS Student’s Death At Bhima Bhoi Medical College: NHRC Seeks Report From Odisha Chief Secy, VC

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed Odisha’s Chief Secretary and Sambalpur University Vice Chancellor to submit a report on the death of Nishant Kumar, a first-year MBBS student at the Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Balangir.

Kumar, who was from Haryana, died after falling off the roof of his hostel on April 22. His parents have alleged that he died by suicide after being harassed and ragged by seniors.

Hearing a complaint filed by a human rights activist, the NHRC on Wednesday asked the Chief Secretary and Sambalpur University VC to submit the report within four weeks. If the report is not submitted on time, the NHRC is likely to ask them to appear in person before it.

Kumar’s father has alleged that his son had been facing ragging since April 13, two days after he arrived at the college, which forced him to take his life on April 22.

His family further alleged that the seniors had made WhatsApp groups and used to call juniors for ragging late at night.

On April 22, Kumar went to the hostel terrace around 2 pm after finishing his lunch. A few minutes later, hostel inmates came to know that he had fallen off the roof.