GUWAHATI: Students of the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), North East Regional Centre in Sonapur, have demanded an independent inquiry into the death of 22-year-old third-year B.P.Ed student Shruti Upadhyay, alleging medical and administrative lapses in the handling of her illness.
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The students have submitted a formal representation to the Vice-Chancellor and executive authorities of LNIPE, the Dean of the North East Regional Centre, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the institute's Internal Grievance Redressal Committee.
They have demanded an independent inquiry involving external medical experts, representatives of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, students and parents.
The students have also sought that the findings of the inquiry, clinical audit and post-mortem review be made available to Shruti's family and the student community.
Among their main demands is the immediate appointment of full-time resident male and female medical officers and registered nurses at the institute.
They have also demanded a fully equipped 24/7 ambulance with paramedical staff, regular resident female wardens for the girls' hostel and stronger emergency referral protocols.
The students have called for a system that allows immediate medical decisions during emergencies without administrative delays.
They have further demanded reimbursement of the medical and transportation expenses incurred by Shruti's family, institutional support for her parents and an ex-gratia compensation of ₹50 lakh.
The representation also calls for protection against retaliation for students who participate in the protest, provide testimony or submit evidence concerning the alleged medical and administrative lapses.
The demands follow allegations by students regarding the medical treatment provided to Shruti after she first complained of abdominal pain on September 4.
According to her batchmates, Shruti was taken to Sonapur District Hospital for treatment. Students alleged that doctors there advised that she be shifted to Nemcare Hospital in Guwahati as her condition required further medical attention.
Students have alleged that her transfer to Nemcare was delayed because approval was sought from the LNIPE health-centre doctor.
They claimed that Shruti remained at Sonapur for another period before she was finally shifted to Nemcare on the evening of September 6.
Shruti was admitted to Nemcare Hospital, where she received treatment. She died on the morning of September 8.
According to information shared by student sources, Shruti was suffering from a serious abdominal condition and her appendix had allegedly ruptured. However, the exact medical cause of her death has not yet been officially established.
The students have also raised questions about the medical facilities available at the residential institute. They allege that LNIPE does not have a permanent, full-time doctor and that doctors from the Sonapur medical unit are available only for limited hours in the morning and evening.
LNIPE NERC Dean Dr Shankar Jyoti Basumatari described Shruti's death as “very unfortunate” and said the institute needed some time to examine and address the issues raised by the protesting students.
Basumatari said he could not visit the protest site earlier as he was with Shruti's parents during the cremation rites.
He said that after returning to the institute, he met the protesting students later in the night and assured them that their demands would be looked into by the institute.
The Dean also said the institute had informed Sonapur police station about the matter.
He further stated that the institution had requested a post-mortem examination as part of the process of establishing the circumstances surrounding Shruti's death.
Shruti's parents have also demanded that the circumstances surrounding their daughter's death be thoroughly investigated.
According to her mother, when she saw Shruti at the hospital, her daughter's body had become so swollen that she could not immediately recognise her. She said she ultimately identified Shruti by the clothes she was wearing.
The allegations of medical negligence and administrative delay have not been established and remain subject to investigation.