Kerala: Warden accused of harassment as nursing student dies after 3 months in coma following suicide attempt – Kerala News

A third-year nursing student in Kerala, who attempted suicide in her college hostel in December last year, died on Saturday after remaining in a coma for three months.

The student, identified as 20-year-old Chaitanya from Kasaragod in north Kerala, had attempted to end her life in her hostel room at a private hospital in Kanhangad on December 7, 2024.

Following the incident, she was initially admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru before being shifted to Kozhikode Medical College, where she remained in a critical condition until her death.

The tragedy sparked protests among students of Manzoor Hospital and School of Nursing, who accused the hostel management of workplace harassment. Protesters alleged that Chaitanya was subjected to mental harassment by the hostel warden, Rajani, even when she was unwell.

Based on a statement from Chaitanya’s mother, a case was registered against the warden under Sections 126 (wrongful restraint) and 296(b) (obscene acts in public places) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The protests were eventually called off after police intervened and held discussions with both students and the management.

Authorities were continuing their investigation into the allegations surrounding Chaitanya’s death.