Civil engineering student’s suicide in Nalanda sparks protests; principal accused of harassment

Patna: Tension gripped Chandi Engineering College near Bihar’s capital Patna after a second-year civil engineering student allegedly took her own life on Wednesday night, with classmates accusing the college principal of harassment.

The victim, 20-year-old Sonam Kumari from Bariarpur block in Munger district, reportedly jumped from the third-floor terrace of the college hostel. She was rushed to a local referral hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

While the cause of the alleged suicide remains under investigation, students alleged that Principal Dr Gopal Nandan had been intimidating them and pressuring them to remain silent instead of addressing their grievances. They further claimed that after Sonam jumped, she lay injured for nearly 30 minutes and that Dr Nandan refused to provide a college vehicle to take her to hospital.

The incident triggered violent protests on the campus, with enraged students damaging a deputy superintendent of police’s vehicle and setting a scooter on fire. They demanded that the principal be brought to the spot.

Dr Nandan, contacted by phone, declined to comment, saying he would respond later.

As unrest spread, ASP Mohammad Nurul Haq, three DSPs, and police personnel from 20 stations were deployed. Order was restored early on Thursday after hours of tension.

Nalanda Superintendent of Police Bharat Soni confirmed that a high-level probe has been ordered. Chandi police station in-charge Suman Kumar said the cause of death would be established after the post-mortem and statements from students and family members.

Meanwhile, Shikha Kumari, a close friend of the deceased who witnessed the incident, was left traumatized and has been admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

Authorities have assured strict action if allegations of harassment or negligence are confirmed.