LNIPE suspends warden and terminates medical staff after student death

The Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) has taken disciplinary action against three staff members following the death of 21-year-old BPEd student Shruti Upadhyay. Vice-Chancellor Prof Kalpana Sharma suspended Chief Warden and Assistant Professor Dr Meriline Gogoi, while also terminating the contractual services of physician Dr Jyoti Prasad Barman and nurse Ripanjali Konwar on administrative grounds.

Shruti Upadhyay, a student from Bihar, reportedly sought treatment at the institute’s health centre after experiencing abdominal pain. Protesters allege that the medical care provided by the institute was inadequate, noting that her condition deteriorated after receiving medication from the campus physician. Following her initial treatment, she was moved to Sonapur District Hospital and later to a private hospital in Guwahati, where she died on September 8.

Students at the institute have continued to protest, stating that the suspension of the Chief Warden is insufficient. They are demanding her full termination and a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the student's death.