Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Assam Student's Death Spurs Probe Into Painkiller Allegations
Shruti Upadhyay was a college student in Assam who became seriously ill and later died in a hospital.
She had suffered from severe back pain for several years.
Her roommate said the campus doctor kept giving her painkillers, but her condition did not improve.
Students are now asking for a careful investigation.
Shruti’s mother said the college did not properly tell the family how sick she was.
She said Shruti herself called from the hospital.
The college said police had been informed and that a postmortem was completed.
The exact cause of Shruti’s death is still being investigated.
The institute’s chief warden has been suspended.
Shruti Upadhyay, a student at Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, died while being treated at a Guwahati hospital.
Her roommate alleged the institute doctor repeatedly gave her painkillers for severe back pain over nearly four years.
Students are protesting and demanding an investigation into Upadhyay’s treatment, attending doctors and available medical facilities.
Upadhyay’s mother alleged the institute failed to explain how serious her daughter’s condition was before her death.
The institute said police were informed, a postmortem was conducted and procedures would be followed; the chief warden was suspended.
- Who
- Shruti Upadhyay, a student of Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education; her roommate and mother; protesting students; and institute officials.
- What
- Upadhyay died during treatment, while her roommate and family raised allegations about her medical care and communication with the institute.
- When
- The death occurred before the vice chancellor met protesting students and Upadhyay’s parents on Wednesday night; the articles do not specify the date of death.
- Where
- At Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, and at a city hospital.
- Why
- Students are demanding an investigation into the treatment Upadhyay received, the doctors involved and the institute’s medical facilities; the exact cause of death remains under investigation.
Family and Students' Allegations
Institute's Stated Response
Medical treatment
Family and Students' Allegations
Upadhyay’s roommate alleged that the campus doctor repeatedly gave her painkillers while her severe back pain continued to worsen.
Institute's Stated Response
The institute has not issued a statement addressing the family’s specific allegations about the treatment.
Communication with family
Family and Students' Allegations
Upadhyay’s mother alleged that the institute did not tell her how serious her daughter’s condition was and that Upadhyay herself called from the hospital.
Institute's Stated Response
The institute’s reported response was that doctors were attending to Upadhyay; officials have not publicly addressed the mother’s account in detail.
Investigation and accountability
Family and Students' Allegations
Students and the family want a thorough investigation into the treatment, doctors and medical facilities, with action against anyone found responsible.
Institute's Stated Response
The dean said police had been informed, a postmortem was conducted and the institute would follow protocol; the chief warden was suspended.
- Student
- Shruti Upadhyay
- Institution
- Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education
- Location
- Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, Assam
- Reported treatment
- Her roommate alleged that the institute doctor repeatedly prescribed painkillers for severe back pain.
- Family allegation
- Upadhyay’s mother said the institute did not inform her about the seriousness of her daughter’s condition.
- Institutional response
- The institute said police were informed, a postmortem was conducted and protocol would be followed.
- Administrative action
- Chief warden Merlin Gogoi was suspended.