A 21-year-old nurse named Chandni, originally from Siwan, Bihar, was found dead in a locked bathroom on the third floor of a private hospital in Kanpur’s Lajpat Nagar on Sunday morning, sending shockwaves through the medical community. Police suspect the death was a suicide, with preliminary findings pointing to poisoning via injection, but the incident has raised questions about workplace safety and mental health support for healthcare workers.

Chandni, who had been employed at the hospital for just one month, was living with the family of Lakshmi Gupta in Rawatpur for the past six years. She was on night duty Saturday when she went missing during the shift change on Sunday morning. Colleagues, alarmed by her absence, searched the premises and discovered the bathroom door of a private room locked from the inside. After breaking it open, they found Chandni’s body on the floor, surrounded by syringes and medications, including vials suspected to contain sedatives or anesthetics commonly used in medical settings.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kanpur South) Ravindra Kumar stated, “Prima facie, it appears Chandni injected herself with a lethal dose of drugs, leading to her death. The presence of medical supplies at the scene supports this theory.” The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death, with results expected within 48 hours. Forensic teams are analyzing the syringes and medications to determine the exact substances involved.

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The hospital administration has remained tight-lipped, issuing no official statement, which has fueled speculation among staff and locals. Posts on X reflect growing concern, with users questioning whether workplace stress or personal issues could have driven Chandni to such an extreme act. Some have criticized the hospital’s lack of CCTV coverage in the area, raising doubts about oversight in high-risk zones.

Chandni’s host, Lakshmi Gupta, told police she showed no visible signs of distress in recent weeks, though colleagues noted she kept to herself. The investigation is exploring her personal and professional life, including potential stressors. This incident follows a disturbing trend of suicides among young healthcare workers in Uttar Pradesh, with similar cases reported in Kannauj and Unnao in recent years, often linked to high-pressure work environments.

Mental health advocates are urging better support systems for nurses, who face long hours and emotional strain. The police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them, as they await the post-mortem report to rule out foul play. The tragedy has left Kanpur’s medical community grappling with grief and a call for systemic change.

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