Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Feb 26: The decomposed body of a final-year medical student was discovered inside a hostel room at Kalyani Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital and Medical College in West Bengal’s Nadia district on Thursday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Pulak Haldar, a resident of Mograhat in South 24 Parganas district. According to sources, he was last seen on February 20 when he visited the hostel canteen for a meal. Since then, he reportedly remained inside the hostel and was not noticed by fellow students or staff.

On Thursday, a foul smell emanating from his room alerted others. After repeated knocks went unanswered, the door was forced open, leading to the recovery of his decomposed body. Officers from the local police station arrived at the scene, sent the body for post-mortem examination, and began an investigation.

Police officials said the exact cause of death is yet to be determined and that it remains unclear whether the case involves suicide, foul play, or other circumstances. The student’s family has been informed.

Unverified claims have surfaced suggesting that Pulak may have faced bullying during protests linked to the RG Kar rape and murder case and that he might have been under academic stress. However, authorities have not confirmed these allegations and said all possible angles are being examined.

A substantial police presence has been deployed on the campus as a precautionary measure. Additional Medical Superintendent Somjyoti Banerjee stated that the police were informed after the student failed to respond from inside the locked room and that the cause of death would only be known after the autopsy.

Investigators are probing various aspects, including personal and academic factors, especially as final semester examinations at the institution are scheduled to commence on March 5.