Mahendragarh
A 19-year-old student from Mahendragarh, Haryana, tragically died by suicide in Kota, Rajasthan. The student, Neeraj, was preparing for JEE Mains in Kota, a hub for competitive exam coaching. His family, residing in Mahendragarh’s Adarsh Colony, is devastated by the loss. Neeraj’s father, Bablu Prajapati, an advocate in the local court, has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.
Preparing for JEE Mains
Neeraj had been living in Kota for two years, staying at Anand Kunj Residency Hostel in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar. According to his family, Neeraj was not under academic pressure but may have taken this drastic step due to issues with the hostel staff. However, even Neeraj’s closest friends couldn’t provide a clear reason for his decision.
Father’s Allegations
Bablu Prajapati questioned the possibility of his son’s suicide, citing inconsistencies. He pointed out that if Neeraj had hung himself from the ceiling fan, the blades should have broken or the fan should have fallen. “I cannot believe that my son would take such a step,” Bablu stated.
He also mentioned speaking with Neeraj’s best friend, who advised him to visit Kota to discuss the matter further. However, no one has been able to provide concrete answers about the incident.
The Tragic Incident
Neeraj was found hanging in his hostel room on Tuesday night. According to Additional SP Dilip Saini of Kota, Neeraj had gone out for dinner with a friend earlier in the evening and showed no signs of stress. When hostel staff conducted attendance rounds at night, Neeraj didn’t open his door. They discovered his body after peeking through the ventilation window.
His body has been sent to MBS Hospital’s mortuary for post-mortem examination. This is the first reported case of a student suicide in Kota in 2025.
Recent Communication with Family
Bablu spoke to Neeraj over the phone on Tuesday at 3:20 PM, asking him to return home for a practical exam scheduled on January 9. “I told him to book a train ticket and come home,” Bablu recalled. After that call, Neeraj didn’t answer subsequent phone calls, which worried his family.
Not Under Stress, Claims Hostel Staff
Hostel staff stated that Neeraj appeared normal and wasn’t under any visible stress. However, his sudden and unexplained death has left both the family and investigators searching for answers.
Community in Mourning
Neeraj’s death has plunged his family and the community into grief. Relatives, friends, and fellow advocates gathered at Bablu’s home in Adarsh Colony before accompanying the family to their ancestral village, Nawa.
A Grim Reminder
The incident highlights the persistent challenges faced by students preparing for competitive exams in high-pressure environments. While Neeraj’s death is under investigation, it raises questions about the psychological and social pressures faced by students living away from home.
