Parents of Indian medical student Vaibhav Duggal, who died by suicide, seek $30mn from Texas Tech University

Parents of Vaibhav Duggal, a 24-year-old Indian-origin medical student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, seek $30 million in damages.

Duggal died by suicide in July 2025 after facing disciplinary action related to a patient interaction during an OB/GYN clinical rotation.

The family alleges the university's disciplinary process lacked transparency, denied due process, and failed to provide adequate mental health support.

The disciplinary action stemmed from Duggal exchanging Instagram handles with a patient and later blocking her, which the family says was a voluntary, mutual exchange.

The family's advocacy campaign calls for an independent review, stronger due-process protections, and reforms to prevent similar incidents.