Karnataka Medical Student Veena Hanapur Found Dead in Gadag Hostel, Family Calls Murder

Veena Hanapur, a second‑semester Master of Public Health student at Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development University in Gadag, Karnataka, was discovered hanging from a bed in her women’s hostel room on Thursday night. Fellow students reported hearing no response after knocking, and the warden opened the room to find her. She was taken to Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances. The university cancelled classes as a mark of respect. Hanapur’s family, citing facial injuries, bleeding from the nose and damage to her teeth, alleges the death is a homicide rather than suicide and has demanded a thorough probe, questioning the conduct of hostel staff and university officials.

The incident has sparked outrage among students and faculty, who are awaiting the results of the forensic examination and post‑mortem report.