Kota: 18-Year-Old Medical Student Dies By Suicide, 17th Such Case This Year; Probe Underway

Kota Suicide News: An 18-year-old student studying for medical entrance examinations allegedly dies by suicide on Friday in Rajasthan's Kota, bringing the total number of suicides in the education hub this year to 17. Manjot Chhabra, the deceased, was from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh. He moved to Kota in April and registered at a coaching centre  to study for  NEET UG Exam.

While discussing student suicides in Rajasthan's Kota, eighteen-year-old Manjot Singh regularly told his friends that he would be next in line. Manjot left his father a message wishing him a good birthday. In another message, the student apologised and stated that no one should be held accountable. "I have done it of my own free will. So, please don't trouble my friends and parents," one of the notes read. While another note pasted on the wall read, "Happy birthday Papa."

Manjot was described by friends as a talented student with a fun-loving personality. He had received 93% in his Class 12 examinations and was performing well in regular tests at the coaching institute.

While the parents of Manjot Singh have accused foul play in the incident. The parents of the dead student raised additional concerns, stated that the hostel room may have been locked from the inside at the time of the tragedy, yet the windows in the room were broken, where Manjot was lying dead with hands tied at the back and plastic covering the face. Claiming that the suicide notes could be written by anyone.

According to news agency PTI, the student stayed in Kota with three of his classmates, who lived in the same hostel in different rooms. On Thursday morning, Manjot's body was discovered hanging from a fan in his hostel room. His wrists were tied behind his back. Soon after, the officials at the hostel were notified, and the police were called. According to the police officer, the actual motive for the suicide has yet to be determined.

The tragedy has brought to light the troubling pattern of student suicides at Kota. Every year, tens of thousands of students from throughout the country rush to the famed education centre to study for tough tests for admission to the country's top engineering and medical universities.

Manjot was the 17th student to die by suicide in Kota this year. Nearly two lakh students are now enrolled in various coaching schools centres in the city to prepare for entrance examinations. In Kota, at least 15 incidents of suicide by students were reported last year.

Furthermore, the city's escalating number of student suicides has forced hostel officials to install springs, often known as "anti-suicide devices," on all fans on the grounds. As soon as any weight is attached to the fan, it will fall.