Parents of Vaibhav Duggal, the Indian student who committed suicide in Texas, seek $30 million from the university.
Vaibhav Duggal, a s 24-year-old medical student of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center took his life in July 2025 while he was still wearing his doctor’s white coat. A year has passed and the parents now are seeking legal review and systemic policy reforms as Duggal’s suicide followed a departmental complaint against him and his version was not listened to.His family and advocates alleged that an opaque disciplinary process conducted without due process or adequate mental health support caused severe psychological distress, leading to his death. “This effort seeks accountability, independent review, and reform to ensure no other student is placed in similar circumstances without adequate safeguards or support,” the family’s advocacy campaign said.Vaibhav was suspended after a female patient complained to the authorities that she felt uncomfortable when Vaibhav, who was on duty at the OB/GYN clinic, asked her about her relationship when she came to the clinic for an STD test. Vaibhav followed the patient on Instagram as well. But then he distanced himself from the woman after realizing that he may have crossed a line and blocked her. On complaint of the patient, Vaibhav was removed from the clinic and he became a subject of investigation.”I have failed you. I have failed in being a good son. I am facing dismissal from school due to a lapse in professionalism. I simply cannot bear the shame,” Vaibhav wrote in his suicide note.
Lawsuit filed by Duggal parents, girlfriend files separate lawsuit
The lawsuit that the parents filed said the university created a toxic situation that forced him to take his own life. Vaibhav was one of the best students, and Texas Tech offered him a $60,000 scholarship.On the day of the alleged incident, Duggal was in a rotation with the OBGYN department. The lawsuit mentioned that the patient was a nurse, she was nervous and she disclosed that she had a jealous boyfriend. The parents said asking about the relationship was part of the procedure as the nurse came for an STD test. They also asked why Duggal, who was a trainee, was left alone with the patient. During the pap test, Duggal was also in the room on the consent of the examiner and the patient, as he was learning. Duggal and the patient then voluntarily exchanged Instagram handles as they both were medical practitioners.Four hours after the examination, the patient lodged a complaint and within days, Duggal was removed from the clinic. The parents said he tried to access mental health services on campus but was turned away. The he looked for ways to end his life and purchased a firearm and died by suicide.Duggal’s girlfriend raised an alarm when he did not turn up for a scheduled clinic. She has also filed her own lawsuit against the school. Duggal told her about the patient and that he followed her on Instagram. The girlfriend advised him to block her as it might violate professional boundaries.The parents are seeking $30 million as well as expunction of any and all wrongful accusations and unlawful disciplinary actions against Vaibhav.
