A 22-year-old NEET aspirant from Jhunjhunu district died by suicide in Sikar on Friday, with family members stating that he had been under severe stress following the cancellation of the medical entrance examination due to the paper leak controversy.
Victim Identified
Police identified the deceased as Pradeep Meghwal, a resident of Gudha Godji town in Jhunjhunu. He had been preparing for NEET in Sikar for the past three years, staying in a rented room on Piprali Road and studying at Guru Kripa Coaching Institute.
Incident Details
According to police, Pradeep was found hanging in his room. He was rushed to SK Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body was later kept in the mortuary of the government hospital for postmortem procedures. Udyog Nagar police have initiated an investigation into the matter.
Family's Anguish
Pradeep's father, Rajesh Kumar, said his son had worked diligently for three years for the medical entrance exam and had performed very well this time. “Based on the answer key, the family expected him to score more than 650 marks and believed his selection was almost certain,” Kumar said. After the exam was cancelled, the family reported that Pradeep fell into depression.
Family members added that Pradeep had returned to Sikar from his hometown two days before the tragedy and was living with his siblings. On Friday, while his sister had gone to bathe, he allegedly hanged himself in the room. She discovered him upon returning and alerted nearby residents and relatives.
Financial Strain
The incident has left the family devastated. “We had invested our entire savings, nearly Rs 8 to Rs 11 lakh, into his education,” Kumar said, visibly distressed. “We even postponed building our own house because we wanted to ensure a bright future for Pradeep.”
Community Reaction
The death triggered grief and anger among locals. A large crowd gathered at the government hospital, raising questions about the systemic pressures faced by students in the wake of exam cancellations. Many expressed concern over the mental health toll such incidents take on aspiring medical professionals.
This tragic event highlights the immense stress and uncertainty that students face due to the cancellation of competitive exams. It underscores the need for better mental health support and more robust systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.
