Jharkhand teen dies by suicide, family links distress to NEET cancellation

A 16-year-old girl died by suicide in Koderma district of Jharkhand, with her family alleging that she had fallen into depression after the cancellation of the NEET examination she had appeared for.

According to family members, the incident occurred on Sunday night. The girl was the only daughter of the family and was inside her room taking an online practice examination.

Her family said that when she did not open the door for a long time, they knocked repeatedly. Although she initially responded that she was coming, she did not come out. Suspecting something was wrong, the family broke open the door and found her hanging from a noose.

The family immediately brought her down and rushed her to Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

According to her relatives, the girl was a bright student. After completing Class 10, she joined a reputed coaching institute in Delhi to prepare for NEET. After completing the course, she returned home and appeared for the examination. The family said she was confident of clearing the competitive exam this year and was happy because she believed her examination had gone well.

However, her father, Sanjay Prasad, told Aaj Tak Ranchi over the phone that she became depressed after the NEET examination was cancelled. He said she had continued preparing and was taking a practice examination shortly before the incident.

Sanjay Prasad, who works as an LIC agent and also runs a medical store, lives with his family in a rented house in Chitragupt Nagar. The family's ancestral home is in Nawada. Following the incident, the family travelled to their native village in Rajauli for the last rites.

The girl's death has left the family in deep shock. Family members said that with the loss of their only daughter, a dream had been shattered and the hopes of the entire family had collapsed.

Koderma Superintendent of Police Kumar Shubhashish told India Today's sister channel Aaj Tak over the phone that the family had submitted an application to the police following the incident. However, he said the application did not mention NEET.

"The family and the father submitted an application to the police, but there is no mention of NEET in it. Accordingly, a UD (unnatural death) case was registered. After the post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to the family. The family has not filed any complaint against anyone," the SP said.

The SP added that it was true that the girl had appeared for the NEET examination and was planning to appear again in the future.

Meanwhile, members of the Youth Congress staged a protest outside Raj Bhavan, raising slogans and carrying banners over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in NEET. The protesters marched close to the Raj Bhavan and alleged that the future of students was being jeopardised while the Central government remained a silent spectator.