Date:15/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/15/stories/2008111553710400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Kadapa

Nursing student’s death: harassment alleged

Special Correspondent

KADAPA: D. Swathi, 19, a B.Sc. nursing first year student, was found hanging to a ceiling fan in the hostel room in Siva Nursing College in NGO Colony in Rayachoti town and her parents, Rajendra and Sarala, alleged that she died due to harassment by college authorities.

Swathi, belonging to Meghanampalle village in Punganur mandal in Chittoor district, was found hanging on Thursday evening, an hour after she spoke to her mother on telephone, police said. Earlier, the college authorities informed Mr. Rajendra that his daughter was suffering from severe stomach ache.

Action

The parents alleged at a press conference at Rayachoti that the college authorities shifted Swathi’s body to Kalikiri without informing the Rayachoti police and brought it back to after police intervened. They demanded action against the college management.

Recalling that she was admitted to the college last year, the parents alleged that their daughter complained of harassment by a lecturer, Bhaskar, six months ago.

When they visited the college and demanded issue of a transfer certificate, the college authorities promised to ensure that such incidents did not recur.

Claim disputed

Meanwhile, civil liberties activists T. Easwar and leader Nagamuni alleged sexual harassment of Swathi by Bhaskar and said that she could have been killed.

They disputed the claim of the college authorities that the girl hanged herself with a rope.