A tragic incident at a government medical college in Telangana has once again brought attention to the deep-rooted impact of caste discrimination and emotional vulnerability among young professionals. A 23-year-old Dalit intern doctor died by suicide after a senior resident doctor allegedly withdrew from a promise of marriage, reportedly citing caste differences. The incident occurred in Siddipet district and has led to the registration of criminal charges under both general and special laws meant to protect members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

According to police officials, the young woman was pursuing her internship at the Government Medical College in Siddipet when the events leading up to her death unfolded. Investigators said she had been under severe emotional distress after the accused doctor, with whom she was reportedly in a relationship, backed out of an earlier assurance that he would marry her.

Sequence of events

Police said that on January 3, while staying at the medical college hostel, the intern allegedly injected herself with a herbicide. Soon after losing consciousness, her roommates noticed her condition and immediately rushed her to a hospital in Siddipet. As her condition deteriorated, she was referred to a government hospital in Hyderabad for advanced treatment.

Despite sustained medical efforts, she succumbed in the early hours of January 4, officials said. The death sent shockwaves through the medical college campus, where students and staff described her as hardworking, talented, and full of promise.

Allegations of broken promise and caste discrimination

The case came to light following a complaint lodged by the victim’s elder sister. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

According to investigators, the intern became acquainted with the accused senior resident doctor in July last year during her internship. Over time, the two grew close, and the accused allegedly assured her that he would marry her. Police said that the woman trusted this commitment and was emotionally invested in the relationship.

However, the situation reportedly changed when the senior doctor later refused to go ahead with the marriage. Investigators said that he allegedly cited caste-related reasons for withdrawing from the promise, a development that deeply affected the young intern. Police believe this emotional setback, combined with the alleged caste-based rejection, may have driven her to take the extreme step.

The accused has since been taken into custody, officials confirmed, and is being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.

Background of the deceased

The deceased hailed from Jogulamba-Gadwal district and came from a financially disadvantaged background. Her parents are daily-wage labourers who had struggled for years to support their children’s education. Despite these challenges, the young woman had excelled academically from an early age.

She studied at a social welfare residential school, institutions often set up to support students from marginalised communities. Her academic performance enabled her to secure admission to the MBBS programme at the Government Medical College in Siddipet in 2020, a significant achievement for her family.

Police and college sources said she was not only strong in academics but also actively involved in sports and games, earning respect among her peers. Friends described her as disciplined, focused, and determined to build a career in medicine to support her family.

Her elder sister, who now seeks justice in the case, works as a software engineer, while the rest of the family depends largely on daily-wage earnings.

Legal action and investigation

Following the registration of the case, police invoked stringent provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which addresses offences involving caste-based discrimination and abuse. Officials said the inclusion of these sections reflects the seriousness of the allegations, particularly the claim that the marriage promise was withdrawn on caste grounds.

“The accused has been taken into custody, and we are examining all aspects of the case,” a police official said, adding that statements from friends, colleagues, and hostel residents are being recorded to establish the sequence of events and the nature of the relationship between the deceased and the accused.

Investigators are also reviewing digital evidence, including messages and call records, to corroborate the allegations made by the victim’s family.

Broader concerns

The incident has sparked conversations about caste discrimination, power dynamics in professional spaces, and the mental health challenges faced by young doctors. Medical internships are widely known to be physically and emotionally demanding, with long working hours and high pressure. Experts say that personal distress during such a phase can have devastating consequences if adequate emotional support systems are not in place.

Social activists and members of Dalit organisations have demanded strict action against the accused and called for stronger safeguards for students from marginalised communities in educational and professional institutions. They argue that caste-based prejudice, even when subtle or informal, can have severe psychological effects.

A life cut short

For the victim’s family, the loss is irreparable. What was meant to be the beginning of a medical career marked by perseverance and sacrifice ended in tragedy. Her death has left her parents, who had pinned their hopes on her success, struggling to come to terms with the sudden and painful loss.

As the investigation continues, the case stands as a stark reminder of how broken promises, social discrimination, and emotional distress can intersect with fatal consequences. Authorities have said they will pursue the matter thoroughly, while many hope that justice in this case will also lead to broader reflection and reform within institutions meant to nurture, not destroy, young lives.