Jyoti Sharma Case: National Commission for Women Acts
National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar has taken suo-moto notice of the BDS student’s suicide at Sharda University.
Rahatkar has asked the Uttar Pradesh Director-General of Police (DGP) to file a detailed report within three days on the incident and every step taken since then.
CASE SO FAR
– 18 July: 21-year-old Jyoti Sharma was found hanging in her hostel room.
– In her suicide note she accused three professors of persistent mental harassment for not co-operating while she prepared her project.
– Police arrested Assistant Professor Dr Shaily Vashisht and Associate Professor Dr Mahender Singh Chauhan; both are in judicial custody.
– More than 50 people, including other suspended teachers, the hostel warden, security staff and several classmates, have already been questioned.
INQUIRY COMMITTEE STALLS
A five-member committee set up by Sharda University missed its own 5-day deadline and has still not submitted its report to the police.
The delay happened because the committee had not recorded the family’s statement. On Friday, 14 members of Jyoti’s family finally appeared before the panel and answered questions for about 90 minutes.
FAMILY ALLEGATIONS
Speaking outside the committee room, relatives said they have little faith in the university administration.
– They claim that on 10 and 11 July the same professors phoned and threatened Jyoti.
– On 14 July the family met the Dean and requested the teachers to stop harassing her, but the alleged intimidation continued.
– The family alleged deliberate delay by the committee and urged the police and state Chief Minister to ensure swift, impartial action.
UNIVERSITY RESPONSE
University spokesperson Dr Ajit Kumar stated that the committee could not finalise the report earlier because the family had not come forward. He added that the committee will try to submit a complete report to the police on Monday.