'Broken, corrupt system': Rahul Gandhi meets kin of NEET aspirant who died by suicide after paper leak

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met the family of a 22-year-old NEET aspirant who died by suicide in Rajasthan's Sikar after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 NEET-UG 2026 examination over a paper leak.

In a social media post on X, Rahul said the Pradeep's death was not suicide, but a consequence of a broken and corrupt system.

"Today I met the family of the promising student Pradeep Meghwal, who was so hurt by the NEET paper leak that he took his own life. Their pain cannot be contained in words. A mother and father have lost their son, and they were guilty of no fault," Rahul said.


"Millions of children across the country are living under the pressure of studies, competition, and their future. And when a paper leak happens, it’s not just one exam that breaks – a child’s dream shatters, and an entire family breaks apart. Those who handed the examination system over to the mafia, and who are still clinging to their chairs today – the Modi-Shah duo is accountable before this family," the Congress leader added.

Pradeep's family members said he had been under severe stress after the cancellation of the medical entrance examination following the paper leak controversy.

According to police, Pradeep was found hanging in his room. He was taken to SK Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body was later kept in the mortuary of the govt hospital for postmortem procedures. Udyog Nagar police have begun an investigation. Pradeep’s father, Rajesh Kumar, said his son had worked hard for three years for the medical entrance exam and had performed very well this time.

The NEET-UG 2026 examination, conducted for admissions to undergraduate medical courses, was later cancelled following allegations of a paper leak.

The Centre subsequently handed over the investigation into the irregularities to the CBI, which has arrested 10 people in the case so far.
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