Daijiworld Media Network - Kota

Kota, Jan 8: A 19-year-old JEE aspirant from Mahendragarh, Haryana, was found dead in his hostel room in Kota’s Rajiv Gandhi Nagar on Tuesday night, allegedly by suicide, according to police reports.

The student, identified as Neeraj, had been staying in Kota since 2023 to prepare for the competitive engineering exam. His body was discovered by the hostel owner during a routine room check. Authorities were immediately alerted, and the body was sent to the mortuary.

No suicide note was found at the scene, and police are investigating the incident. The student’s father, who contacted the hostel after repeated unanswered calls to his son, has not yet filed a formal complaint but raised concerns about possible foul play. He pointed out that the ceiling fan blades showed no signs of bending, suggesting the need for a closer look into the circumstances.

Police have stated that the room was locked from the inside, and initial investigations indicate no external interference. “The body will undergo a post-mortem, and further action will be determined based on the findings and the family’s input,” said Jawahar Nagar police officer Budhraj.

The hostel staff mentioned that Neeraj had gone out for dinner with a friend on Tuesday evening and showed no apparent signs of distress.

This marks the first reported case of student suicide in Kota in 2025. Known as a hub for competitive exam preparation, Kota has faced increasing scrutiny over the mental health challenges faced by students. In 2024, 17 suicides by coaching students were reported, highlighting the immense pressure many face while pursuing their academic dreams.

Authorities have reiterated the need for enhanced mental health support for students in the city to prevent such tragedies in the future.