A Pakistani Hindu medical girl student was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her hostel room at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) in Larkana, Sindh, media reports said on Tuesday.
While the university authorities have expressed the suspicion that it could be a case of suicide, the student's family members have alleged foul play.
The police have launched an investigation into the case.
According to reports in the Pakistani media, Nimrita Kumari's body was found on Monday hanging from the ceiling fan in her hostel room.
University vice-chancellor Aneela Atta-ur-Rehman said that the body of Nimrita was found in her hostel room, which was closed from inside. Police have taken the phone and other items belonging to the girl for forensic examination.
Yet another killing of a minority in Pakistan's Sindh due to forced conversion pressure? Namrita Chandani, who belonged to Mirpur Mathelo, a taluka of Ghotki, was found lying on a charpoy with a rope tied to her neck while her room was locked from inside. Her brother speaks out. pic.twitter.com/OciA11wIca
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 17, 2019
Rehman told the media that she along with other authorities reached the hostel room on receiving the information about the death.
"We broke open the door to bring her out and took her to the hospital where doctors declared her brought dead. We informed the family members of the girl. We found no injury marks on her body, but there were some marks on her neck. We suspect she might have committed suicide. However, the real cause of the death is yet to be ascertained," Rehman added.
Rehman said that a committee has been formed to look into the case. The committee will be headed by the principal of Larkana's Chandka Medical College, she said.
All the evidences pointed to and gathered by her brother and friends indicate a murder. The incident and the crime should be thoroughly investigated. #Sindh government should ensure that the culprit(s) is booked for murder and nothing less. #JusticeForNimrita pic.twitter.com/r5b6BuRFfP
— Tania Saleem (@TaniaPalijo) September 17, 2019
Taking to Twitter, the former Pakistan speedster said: “Extremely sad & hurt sad reading about the suspicious death of young innocent girl, Nimrita Kumari. I hope the justice is served and the real culprits are found. My heart beats with every Pakistani no matter what faith he/she belongs to. Rest in Peace. #JusticeForNimrita.”
Nimrita Kumari belonged to Mirpur Mathelo, a taluka in Ghotki district of Sindh. She was the daughter of a rich trader. Her body was handed over to her family.
According to her friends, Nimrita had appeared in an exam just a day earlier.
PM @ImranKhanPTI sir, When will you open your eyes, atrocities against minorities in our dear Pakistan are being norm, your minister of human rights @ShireenMazari1 is found sleeping in this time of catastrophe. We need you please. #JusticeForNimrita https://t.co/cZ23n4RT5g
— PREM SHANKAR (@premharesh) September 17, 2019
The university has sent a detailed report to the Sindh Chief Minister, who has promised a free and fair probe into her death.
However, Nimrita's brother Vishal has alleged foul play and said that his sister was murdered.
"She had distributed sweets just two hours before her death. How can she commit suicide?, said Vishal.
Vishal demanded a post-mortem by a private hospital.
#JusticeForNimrita
— zeeshan rajput (@zeeshansaleem41) September 17, 2019
Justice for nimrtA.... @ImranKhanPTI should look into this matter personally
And yes off course @BBhuttoZardari agr kch Kar sakain to
Nimrita was enrolled in the university's Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme and was a final year student.
Meanwhile, a campaign has been launched on social media with the #JusticeForNimrita.
"Nimrita Kumari looks a very happy person and I see very much life in her. No way she committed suicide," wrote a Twitter user in Pakistan.
"This is so heart wrenching ???? A family lost their beautiful jewel. Imagine if it was not Nimrita but you or a family member of yours. You must feel the extreme pain," wrote another Twitter user.
CMC students, NimertaChandani a girl from BDS final year suicide OR Murder Yesterday at girls Hostel Chandka Medical College, Larkana.
— Khan Chachar (Sain) (@Sain253) September 17, 2019
Must be inappropriate and transparent inquiry #JusticeForNimrita@ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/9YWOFJJys6
"Sorry Nimrita, we couldn't save you, my heart is bleeding, my eyes turned into lake, I can't stop my tear, May Allah rest her soul in peace," another tweeted.
A young final year BDS Student named Nimirta Kumari has been found dead in Chandka Medical College Hostel Larkana...#JusticeForNimrita#Minorities_in_Pakistan pic.twitter.com/uaKCZGhf5K
— Ameer Hamza (@hamza_Munir12) September 17, 2019
Its not sucide its pre plane murder#JusticeForNimrita pic.twitter.com/sGcLI9rPml
— amir (@khano_3) September 17, 2019
What a beautiful smile, love towards life a great asset of pakistan & Nation lost our hearts are bleeding and shouting #LetTheBhuttoDie #JusticeForNimrita pic.twitter.com/hrHqEFb4HS
— Ammar (@ammarnaveed_) September 17, 2019
When will you look into SERIOUS MATTERS other than "Sahiba" issues that trigger you the most????
— SadiaSattar (@RJSadiaSattar__) September 16, 2019
She was a human
She was brilliant
She was life
She's no more
&
Your governance in sindh for decades is blotted#JusticeForNimrita
Rest in peace, angel.
— سیلۍ کاکړه (@Selai_kakar) September 17, 2019
What a loss!! Her smile shows she was in love with life.
She can’t commit suicide... it is clearly a murder case.
#JusticeForNimrita @GulBukhari @MalaliBashir @MunazaShaheed @BushraGohar pic.twitter.com/X5r82qrGeY
Here's #MianMithoo receiving army training so that he can kill more Hindus in Pakistan. This is how he does it
— Sᴏᴜᴍʏᴀᴅɪᴘᴛᴀ (@Soumyadipta) September 17, 2019
1. Accuse a Hindu of Blasphemy
2. Start a riot
3. Start killing Hindus in the riot
4. Abduct women and convert them
5. Kill children so they cannot grow up to be Hindus pic.twitter.com/GDAZWlx5bg