Kolkata: Nurse on Night Duty Found Dead Inside Toilet at NRS Hospital; Fentanyl Vials, Syringe Found

A 30-year-old nurse was found dead inside a toilet at Kolkata's NRS Medical College and Hospital during her night shift, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. Hospital sources said the nurse had allegedly taken three vials of fentanyl from the nursing station before going to the toilet, where she was later found unconscious. Police have not yet established the cause of death.

The nurse had started her duty at around 8 pm on Wednesday in the hospital's High Dependency Unit (HDU). At about 10.20 pm, she went to the toilet but did not return. When colleagues called out to her and received no response, hospital staff broke open the bolted door and found her lying unconscious. She was taken for medical treatment but was declared dead. Surat Resident Doctor Death: 4 Seniors Suspended for 6 Months After Ragging Allegations.

Nurse Found Unconscious Inside Hospital Toilet in Kolkata

According to police, the toilet door was bolted from inside. When the nurse did not respond, two hospital staff members broke open the door and found her on the floor in an unconscious state.

“She was immediately shifted for medical treatment, where the attending doctor examined her and declared her dead," a senior Kolkata Police official said. Maharashtra Shocker: Doctor Attempts Suicide in Dombivili, Consumes 10 Beers and 45 Sleeping Pills After Domestic Dispute With Wife; Survives.

The incident was reported to Entally Police Station on Wednesday night. According to a PTI report, the NRS outpost informed police about the death in Room No. 31 of the hospital's HDU.

The Kolkata Police DD Homicide team, along with officials from the local police station, subsequently reached the hospital and began examining the circumstances surrounding the death. The nurse was a resident of Kolkata's Dum Dum area and had recently joined NRS Hospital after being transferred there.

Three Fentanyl Vials Taken To Toilet

Hospital sources said the nurse joined her night duty at around 8 pm and went to the nursing station after arriving at the HDU. She allegedly took three vials of fentanyl with her before going to the toilet. When she failed to return, her colleagues became concerned. They called out to her from outside the toilet but received no response before breaking open the door at around 10.30 pm.

She was found unconscious and was immediately taken for treatment. Doctors later declared her dead. Preliminary information has raised the possibility that she died after an overdose of an anaesthesia-related drug. Hospital sources suspect the fentanyl may have been administered through an intravenous injection.

However, the exact cause of death has not yet been established. Police are investigating whether the nurse administered the drug herself or whether another explanation could account for what happened. The post-mortem examination is expected to provide further evidence.

Police Question Four Nurses

Police said no injury marks were found on the nurse's body and no suicide note was recovered from the spot. After the body was found, the NRS hospital police outpost was informed. Officers from Entally Police Station and the Lalbazar Homicide Branch subsequently reached the hospital and spoke to staff.

Entally Police have called four nurses who were on duty with the deceased for questioning as part of the investigation. Police are also examining the circumstances in which the fentanyl vials were taken from the nursing station and what happened during the period before the nurse was found unconscious.

Nurse Had Recently Joined NRS Hospital

The deceased was originally from East Midnapore and was living in Kolkata's Dum Dum area. Hospital sources said she had married around a year ago. She had recently been transferred to NRS Hospital. Before joining the hospital, she had completed an MSc in Nursing from NRS itself.

Investigators are also looking into whether any personal or relationship-related issue may have played a role in her death, although no such link has been established so far.

Post-Mortem To Establish Cause Of Death

The nurse's body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. Police are awaiting the findings before drawing conclusions about how she died.

At present, the circumstances remain under investigation. Officials are examining statements from hospital staff and other available evidence to determine whether the death was a suicide, an accidental overdose or involved any other factor.

The case comes nearly two years after the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, an incident that triggered nationwide protests over the safety of women medical professionals. However, police have not indicated any connection between the two cases.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2026 05:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).