Former DU college employee who had immolated herself dies

A former employee of a Delhi University college, who set herself afire in front of Delhi Secretariat, succumbed to her injuries here today, sparking protests by students and teachers of the college.
DU authorities sought a report on the incident from the governing body of the college.
The 35-year-old former Lab Assistant had doused herself with kerosene and set herself on fire at gate number 6 of the Delhi Secretariat, sustained 92 per cent burns and was taken to LNJP Hospital where she died this morning.
Police had recovered a purported suicide note from the spot in which she said she was taking this extreme step protesting alleged physical and mental harassment by the principal G K Arora and another staff of Bhim Rao Ambedkar College in Yamuna Vihar.

Her death prompted protests by teachers and students of the college who demanded that the college principal be arrested.
Delhi University also sought a report from the governing body of Bhim Rao Ambedkar College in this matter.

"Though the matter is within the purview of the college governance, the university has sought a report on the incident from the governing body of the college," DU Registrar Alka Sharma said in a statement.
Delhi University Teachers Association President Nandita Narain alleged the DU Vice Chancellor was also responsible for the incident as the university refused to intervene even when the victim was being repeatedly served memos and show-cause notices during an inquiry into the matter.

"The principal was not put under suspension so as to not be able to influence the course and conduct of the inquiry. This did not happen as the College Complaints Committee was not allowed to act independently from the start", she charged.