Kota, Rajasthan | March 25, 2025: A 17-year-old NEET aspirant from Bihar’s Nalanda district tragically ended his life in a hostel room in Kota, the country’s biggest hub for competitive exam preparation. The student was found hanging from a gym rod installed in the room after a failed attempt to use the ceiling fan, which was equipped with an anti-suicide hanging prevention device.
Hostel Operator Alerted Police After Student Didn’t Come Out
The incident occurred around 12:30 PM in the Jawahar Nagar police station area. According to Station House Officer (SHO) Ram Lakshman, the student, Harshraj Shankar, had not stepped out of his room since morning, which raised suspicion among hostel staff. Despite several knocks and calls, there was no response. The hostel manager then alerted the police.
Found Hanging From Gym Rod
When the police arrived, they broke open the room door and found the student hanging by a rope tied to a gym rod installed inside the room. The student was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
According to police, the ceiling fan had a hanging prevention device, commonly installed in Kota hostels to prevent suicides. It is believed that the fan detached during the initial attempt, prompting the student to use the gym rod instead.
No Suicide Note Found, Room Sealed
Police said no suicide note was recovered from the room. The room has been sealed, and further investigation is underway. The student’s family has been informed, and postmortem will be conducted after they arrive. SHO Ram Lakshman said appropriate action will be taken if the family files a formal complaint.
Harshraj had come to Kota in April 2024 and was attending regular classes at a NEET coaching institute. Hostel sources stated that he was a dedicated and regular student with no known history of mental health issues.
Rising Student Suicides in Kota a Major Concern
This tragic incident adds to the growing number of student suicides in Kota, raising concerns once again about the intense academic pressure and mental health challenges faced by aspirants. Despite several preventive steps — including mental health counselling, anti-suicide fans, and awareness drives — the city continues to report such incidents.
Immediate Helpline
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a mental health professional or call India’s 24×7 mental health helpline – 1800-599-0019 (KIRAN).
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
