Dubai: The brother of Pakistani Hindu medical student Nimrita Kumari who was found dead in her hostel room, on Monday, suspects foul play.
Kumari’s brother, Dr Vishal, rejected reports of her suicide, saying that there was no reason for her to do that.
Kumari’s peers at the university, as well as other people close to her, have recorded their statements pertaining to the case, with her brother, Dr Vishal, saying she was murdered and that she had no troubles at home nor was she facing any financial problems.
He said Kumari was distributing sweetmeats in college at 12.30pm and inquired what could possibly have happened in the next 90 minutes that she committed suicide; she was found dead in her room at around 2pm.
Nimrita Kumari, a student of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University’s (SMBBMU) Bibi Aseefa Dental College (also known as Chandka Medical College), was found dead on Monday, the university administration had said, adding that she had allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling fan in her room in the university’s hostel number 3.
Dr Vishal also demanded that the post-mortem be carried out by a private hospital, Geo TV has reported. Speaking to media on Tuesday, he said that he himself is medical consultant and teaches at a top medical college in Karachi. "I can tell that she was murdered as she has marks on her hands and on her neck," he said, alleging that the postmortem reports have been tempered due to influential people involved in the case. He demanded for reports from an independent medical institute.
According to the principal of Larkana’s Chandka Medical College, Professor Dr K. Das Dholia, the initial postmortem report ascertained the cause of Kumari’s death to be suicide.
The initial post-mortem report also confirmed there were no indication or marks of torture on her body, Professor Dholia added, noting further that samples from Kumari’s body were sent to labs in Karachi and Larkana.
The principal explained that an investigation had been launched and the truth could only be ascertained once the lab tests were available.
A committee formed to probe the student’s alleged suicide also commenced its own investigation. Earlier, on Monday, the vice chancellor of the college, Aneela Atta-ur-Rahman, had announced the formation of the committee and had said it would be headed by Professor Dholia, the Chandka Medical College principal.
The VC also said there were marks found on the late student’s neck, which indicated suicide.
Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the death and summoned a report on the incident. The provincial minister for food and parliamentary affairs, Nisar Khuhro, also took notice and assured Kumari’s family of an investigation.
The police investigation was being led by the senior superintendent of police (SSP) for Larkana, Masood Bangash, who also recorded the statements of Kumari’s university peers.
Kumari was enrolled in the university’s Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme and was a final-year student.
Meanwhile, a large number of people specially students came out on road at the upscale Clifton area of Karachi on Tuesday night demanding justice for Kumari.
Social media users demanded justice for Kumari at #justicefornimrita.
Pakistani former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar also joined the angry social media users and hope for justice.
"Extremely sad & hurt sad reading about the suspicious death of young innocent girl, Nimrita Kumari. I hope the justice is served and the real culprits are found. My heart beats with every Pakistani no matter what faith he/she belongs to. Rest in Peace," he tweeted.
