Tragic Suicide of AIIMS Rajkot MBBS Student Shocks Campus
A 26-year-old final-year MBBS student at the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot died by suicide early on Saturday morning. The student, identified as Ratan Kumar Meghwal from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, jumped in front of a train near Para Pipaliya, located just a few kilometers from the AIIMS campus.
Body Found on Railway Tracks
Meghwal's body was discovered on the railway tracks between Ghanteshwar and Para Pipaliya stations. According to Sub-Inspector P B Varotariya of Gandhigram police station, the incident occurred between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM. Police immediately informed his family and sent the body for postmortem examination. Authorities are currently recording statements from his colleagues, faculty members, and AIIMS administration officials.
Previous Suicide Attempt and Troubling History
This tragic event follows a previous suicide attempt by Meghwal on January 27th, when he disappeared from his hostel after writing a lengthy suicide note. In that note, he alleged harassment by a fellow student and mentioned secret romantic feelings for a woman student. After an extensive 12-hour search, he was located at Para Pipaliya village, where villagers intervened to prevent his suicide attempt and alerted police.
Lt Col Ankur Pratap Singh, Deputy Director (Administration) of AIIMS Rajkot, stated, "He was mentally disturbed. After he was found following his disappearance, we provided counseling, and his parents took him home to Rajasthan the next day. Since then, he had been under his parents' care and custody. We understand he received psychiatric treatment. His departmental mentor maintained regular contact, and his condition showed improvement. He was expected to resume his studies shortly."
Evidence Recovered from Scene
Police recovered several items from the railway tracks, including Meghwal's mobile phone, laptop, essential documents, and his AIIMS identification card. Assistant Commissioner of Police (South Zone) B J Chaudhri confirmed, "We found a suicide note in his pocket, which is currently under analysis. Additionally, we recovered his laptop, mobile device, pocket diary, ID card, and medical file from the scene."
Investigators also discovered a suicide note written in Marwari, which is now in police custody. Authorities plan to consult with Meghwal's parents regarding the note's contents once they arrive in Rajkot to claim his body.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Police are awaiting mobile location data to determine Meghwal's movements, including when he returned to Rajkot and his whereabouts after arrival. Statements from doctors, hospital staff, and hostel personnel associated with Meghwal will be recorded as part of the investigation.
Internal Inquiry and Counter-Complaints
Sources reveal that AIIMS had initiated an internal inquiry into Meghwal's harassment allegations following his January disappearance. An AIIMS official explained, "The students named in his suicide note had filed harassment complaints against him. Some students and their parents expressed concern after the deceased posted about them on social media platforms. The internal inquiry was ongoing, and Meghwal's statement was scheduled to be recorded upon his return to college."
The Gandhigram police have notified Meghwal's family, who are currently traveling to Rajkot to collect his remains. This tragic incident has raised serious questions about student mental health support systems and harassment protocols within premier educational institutions.
