Maharashtra Farmer’s daughter ends life
Latur: A farmer from Latur district of Maharashtra has alleged that his 18-year-old daughter, who wanted to become a doctor, died by suicide due to mental stress following the cancellation of NEET UG-2026 due to the alleged paper leak. Police said they received a report of accidental death and launched an investigation into the farmer’s claim.
According to the police, Maithili Ashok Sonwane of Gondegaon village allegedly hanged himself from a tree in their farm on the morning of May 16. Autopsy and other legal formalities have been completed, officials said.
Her father Ashok Vitthal Sonwane, 50, made a statement to the police on Sunday, claiming that Maithili, who appeared for the NEET-UG held on May 3, was under severe mental stress after the exam was canceled following the paper leak controversy.
“I have a dream of becoming a doctor”
Ashok said his daughter dreams of becoming a doctor.
He claimed that Maithili had told his family members that although he had prepared well and performed satisfactorily in the examination, the cancellation had disturbed him and led to anxiety about his future. In the statement, he said that he could not cope with the stress and ended his life.
On May 12, the National Testing Agency canceled the National Eligibility and Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG)-2026 held on May 3 for medical admissions following allegations of paper leak. The exam was planned to be held again on June 21.
The testing was conducted in 551 cities in India and 14 overseas centers on May 3 and was canceled on May 7 after receiving information regarding alleged malpractice. Around 23 lakh candidates have registered for the test.
