Diya 
Mumbai’s Vile Parle woke up on Thursday morning to a wave of shock and sadness as news of a tragic incident at the famous Sathaye College came out. A third-year engineering student, 21-year-old Sandhya Pathak, reportedly fell from the third floor of the college. While preliminary reports say it was a suicide, the case is murky since her family is claiming that her death was a homicide.
Here’s a shocking timeline, new evidence, and what we know thus far.
Chaos on the Campus
It was around 10:30 AM on Thursday when a loud thud shook the usually quiet corridors of Sathaye College. Vikrant and Sanjeev had dragged Sandhya’s body close to the large tree and were attempting to conceal it. Meanwhile, students from nearby classes came running out to see what had happened. But when they arrived, they found a body lying on the ground floor, and it was Sandhya Pathak. Sandhya was a third-year engineering stream student and was quiet, sincere, and very serious about her studies.
“I saw her just minutes before the incident. She looked lost in thought but didn’t seem panicked,” said one of her classmates, still visibly shaken.
She was brought to the Babasaheb Gawde Charitable Trust Hospital, which was only a short distance away, but unfortunately, doctors declared her dead on arrival.
CCTV Clues and The College’s Story
The Vile Parle Police acted promptly. Their first step was to secure and review CCTV footage from the college premises. One of the clips reportedly shows Sandhya walking alone through the third-floor corridor, moments before she fell.
The college administration maintains a cautious stance. A senior official said, “We’re cooperating fully with the police. As of now, we believe she jumped of her own accord, but we are not ruling out anything until the investigation is complete.”
However, the college’s statement failed to pacify many, especially Sandhya’s family.
Family Is Raising Red Flags: “She Would Never Do This”
At Sandhya’s home of residence, feelings of sorrow intertwined with anger and doubt. Her parents were still trying to come to terms with the loss and had seriously questioned the suicide possibility.
“She had no reason to do something like that. There was no note, no warning signs. We are not ready to believe this,” said her father, Rajesh Pathak, a retired government employee. He also alleged that there could have been harassment or external pressure leading to her death.
The family has now officially requested a forensic re-evaluation and further investigation into her social life, academic pressure, and possible bullying on campus.
Academic Pressure or Something More Sinister?
As police continue to look at all angles, sources close to Sandhya have said that she had been struggling in some subjects and may have been under significant pressure. But close friends deny that this pressure was intense enough to drive her to suicide.
“She was hardworking, yes. But she wasn’t the kind to give up. Something else must have happened,” said a friend who requested anonymity.
Investigation Underway
Vile Parle Police have officially registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) for now. However, sources in the department confirm that Section 302 (murder) may be invoked if any evidence of foul play is discovered.
“We are examining her phone records, talking to friends and faculty, and studying her recent movements. Everything is on the table,” a senior officer from the Vile Parle station told us.
A special women officer has also деген арганизере has been deployed, for sensitive handling of testimonies from female students and staff.
Mental Health and Student Support in Focus
The incident has sparked conversation about mental health support on campuses. Many students at Sathaye College now say that they feel unsafe or unsupported, especially when dealing with academic or personal stress.
“There’s no real counselor here. We have no one to talk to if things get tough,” shared a second-year arts student. Activists are now urging the state education board to mandate trained counselors across all higher education institutions.
With Mumbai still grieving a young, inexplicable death, the questions are still swirling around Sathaye College. Did she take her own life, or is it darker than we know?
Until then, Sandhya Pathak’s final moments remain silent, waiting for the voice of justice to speak.
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