A 20-year-old NEET aspirant, Sumit Panchal, was discovered dead in his hostel room in Kota's Kunhari area, sparking suspicions of murder by his parents. Sumit, from Rohtak, Haryana, has been studying for the NEET exam at a coaching institute in Kota for more than a year.
His parents have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, insisting on the registration of a murder case against unidentified individuals. A medical board has been requested by the family to conduct the autopsy.
According to Assistant Sub-Inspector Kaptan, who is handling the investigation, Sumit's body was found hanging from the ceiling fan of his hostel room. The discovery was made by hostel staff approximately nine hours after his death. However, his parents question the cause of death, pointing out the severity of the neck injury, which they argue is inconsistent with suicide by hanging.
Law enforcement officials have initiated an investigation under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code, treating the case as an unnatural death. Despite a thorough examination of the hostel room, no suicide note was recovered, leaving the motive behind Sumit's demise unclear.
Sumit, scheduled to take the NEET-UG exam the following month, apparently took his own life at some point on Sunday afternoon. The incident only came to light late that evening when the hostel warden discovered the body and informed the authorities.
The absence of a suicide prevention device in the hostel room's ceiling fan has drawn criticism for violating safety.
Sumit's father, uncle, and grandfather all expressed suspicions of murder. They strongly disagree with the concept of suicide, emphasizing Panchal's academic abilities and desire for a high rank. Furthermore, they emphasize the severity of the neck incision, arguing for a comprehensive autopsy by a medical board.
This unfortunate tragedy contributes to a disturbing pattern in Kota, a well-known coaching area, where seven suspected suicides by NEET or JEE candidates have been reported this year only. Last year, the city saw a record-high 26 student suicides, prompting inquiries for increased oversight and help from the coaching community. They strongly disagree with the concept of suicide, emphasizing Panchal's academic abilities and desire for a high rank. Furthermore, they emphasize the severity of the neck incision, arguing for a comprehensive autopsy by a medical board.
This unfortunate tragedy contributes to a disturbing pattern in Kota, a well-known coaching area, where seven suspected suicides by NEET or JEE candidates have been reported this year only. Last year, the city saw a record-high 26 student suicides, prompting inquiries for increased oversight and help from the coaching community.
As inquiries proceed, Sumit's family demands a transparent and unbiased investigation, pushing authorities to pursue every possibility to discover the truth behind their son's unexpected death.
(Input from various media sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)
