A 17-year-old boy preparing for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination died by suicide after allegedly jumping from the sixth floor of his residential complex in Ahmedabad’s Tragad area early on Thursday morning, police said.
Incident Details
The incident comes just days before the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21. The fresh examination was announced after the National Testing Agency cancelled the earlier test conducted on May 3 following allegations of a paper leak.
The deceased, identified as Kahan Patel, was found critically injured after falling from the balcony of his residence in Aristo Anandam. According to police, preliminary investigations suggest that he cut through the bird net installed on the balcony before jumping.
A security guard on duty noticed the critically injured boy and alerted residents. Kahan was rushed to a hospital, but doctors declared him dead before treatment could begin.
Investigation Underway
Police said no suicide note was recovered from the spot. The body was sent for postmortem examination, while an inquest was initiated to determine the circumstances leading to the death.
Investigators described Kahan as a bright student who secured 85% marks in his Class 12 board examinations and appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in 2025. Although he obtained what police termed a satisfactory score, he was preparing to take the examination again this year to improve his prospects. He also applied for admission to a pharmacy course and was exploring alternative academic pathways.
According to police, the teenager was enrolled in a private coaching institute as part of his preparations for the medical entrance examination. A laptop recovered from his residence has been seized and will be examined as part of the investigation. Officers are also expected to scrutinise his recent activities and digital communications.
Family Background
Police said Kahan lived in Ahmedabad with his mother and younger brother. His parents have been living separately for the past three years. His father, a criminal lawyer, resides in Surat.
Police said that Kahan’s family members were in a state of shock. Their detailed statements would be recorded once they are able to cooperate with the investigation, they added.
Possible Causes
Police said all possible angles were being examined, including whether the student was under stress due to the cancellation of the previous examination, concerns related to the upcoming re-test, or other personal factors. Officials emphasised that no conclusions had been reached and that the exact reason behind the tragedy remained unknown.
