A 19-year-old NEET aspirant from Hyderabad died by suicide on June 20, just one day before the NEET (UG) re-examination was scheduled to take place. Police confirmed the incident on Sunday.
Who was Sana?
The student, Sheikh Sana, was found dead at her residence under the jurisdiction of Miyapur Police Station. She had been living in an apartment with her two younger sisters, aged in Classes 10 and 6, while preparing for the medical entrance exam.
Her father, Sheikh Jafar Hussain, works in Kuwait and was not present. Her mother had travelled to Proddatur in Andhra Pradesh approximately 10 days before the incident. The family’s aunt lives in an apartment adjacent to theirs and has since taken charge of caring for the younger sisters.
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What happened on Saturday
Sana went to her room after having breakfast on Saturday morning. Her sisters assumed she was studying for the upcoming re-exam. When she did not emerge by evening, they opened her door and discovered her hanging. The sisters immediately contacted police.
She had hanged herself using her scarf. A handwritten note in English was recovered from the scene, in which she reportedly stated that no one is responsible for her death. Her body was shifted to Gandhi Hospital for a post-mortem examination and a case was registered.
Academic pressure behind the incident
Police said that academic pressure, family expectations, and anxiety over past setbacks are suspected to have contributed to the tragedy. Preliminary investigation revealed that Sana had appeared for the NEET exam the previous year but did not clear it. She then enrolled for long-term coaching and appeared again in the exam held last month.
She was preparing for a re-examination that was scheduled for June 21, the very next day.
Why was the re-exam held?
The original NEET (UG) examination was held on May 3 but was cancelled following allegations of a question paper leak. The cancellation triggered widespread outrage across the country and left thousands of students in a state of uncertainty and stress.
Since the cancellation, India has witnessed a series of suicides by NEET aspirants. According to reports, Sana is believed to be the first NEET aspirant from Telangana to die by suicide in connection with the exam controversy.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to mental health professionals and your loved ones. You matter. Your lives matter!