Medical student found dead in Cumilla, probe underway

A student of Cumilla’s Central Medical College has died, reportedly by suicide, after repeatedly failing in one subject, with allegations raised against a teacher.

The incident occurred yesterday evening (3 April) when the victim, Arpita Naushin, was found unconscious in her hostel room in Cumilla by her classmates, who took her to the hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

According to her friends, she had taken 109 sleeping pills. They added that Naushin passed all subjects except anatomy in her first professional examination. Over the past three years, she had taken the same exam four more times but failed each time.

Friends alleged that from her first year, she faced issues with the head of the anatomy department, Dr Monira Zahir, and had been threatened with failure publicly, though the reasons remain unclear.

Former students of the college also said the same teacher had behaved similarly with other students. They said an investigation could clarify the matter.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sadar South Police Station Sirajul Mostafa said the matter is under investigation and that he could not comment further at this stage.

College Principal Professor Dr Fazlul Haque Liton said he was informed of the student’s condition at 7:07pm and instructed doctors in the emergency department to provide proper treatment. After examination, doctors confirmed her death.

He said a committee has been formed to investigate the incident, and police are also investigating.

Attempts to contact Dr Monira Zahir for comment were unsuccessful.

The victim’s brother, Shahriar Arman, said his sister did not have the mindset to take her own life and mentioned mental pressure related to her studies. He said she had been held back in one subject while others progressed, without any explanation.

He added that he had spoken to her on Thursday when she asked for money for forms, and he had assured her he would send it.

Her friends said the results of their batch’s third professional examination under Chittagong Medical University were published on 8 March. While others from the same session are now in their fifth year, Naushin remained in the first professional examination.