A morning "I quit" message to friends on an instant messaging app did not raise any concerns with family or peers. By Thursday noon, Pooja Arun Rajani, a 22-year-old Nagpur native and second-year MBBS student at a private medical college in Wardha, Maharashtra, was said to have leaped to her death from the third floor of her academic building.
Pooja's tests were scheduled to start on Friday, according to sources. Upon receiving her hall pass at the administrative office, she was informed that her exam eligibility was suspended because of a 75% absentee rate.
According to sources, Pooja's parents paid her a visit on a Wednesday night. She went to her first class on Thursday morning and then to the library. She went to the third storey and made the deadly jump shortly after that. Pooja is reported to have called her parents just before the event to let them know she was under mental stress.
After hearing about the occurrence, her parents hurried to Wardha. They claimed that Pooja's mental stress led her to commit suicide and was caused by the college administration.
The administrators of the college conveyed their sorrow for the event and promised a thorough investigation. According to University Grants Commission attendance rules, Pooja was not the only person deprived of her exam option; at least forty-five others were also turned away. The Sawangi police reported an accidental death.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Priyanka Pandey/MSM)
