Doda, Jan 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department has ordered a formal inquiry into the alleged suicide of a student of Government Degree College (GDC) Doda and placed a faculty member under suspension pending the probe.
As per an official order, a three-member committee has been constituted to investigate the reported suicide of Ms Saba Banoo, a student of GDC Doda, which occurred on January 16, 2026. The committee has been directed to examine all circumstances surrounding the incident and submit its report within seven days.
The inquiry panel includes Dr Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Director Colleges, Higher Education Department; Sanjay Kumar Tickoo, Deputy Secretary to the Government; and Syed Ishrat Parvez, Under Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department.
In a separate order issued the same day, Prof Manzoor Ahmad, Assistant Professor of Commerce at GDC Doda, was placed under suspension with immediate effect. Pending the inquiry, he has been attached to the office of the Director Colleges, Jammu and Kashmir.
Copies of the orders have been circulated to the Director Colleges, the Principal of GDC Doda, and other concerned authorities for compliance.
The incident has raised serious concern within academic and administrative circles, prompting swift action by the Higher Education Department to establish facts and fix responsibility, if any.