As nationwide outrage continues to mount over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak controversy, the mother of an 18-year-old NEET aspirant who ended her life on Sunday demanded the strictest punishment possible for the ones responsible. She asserted that the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alone would not suffice for justice.

Neelam Chaturvedi, the grieving mother of Akanksha Chaturvedi, who died by suicide after the cancellation of the NEET exam in May this year, called for the paper leak accused to be awarded the death penalty. She also acknowledged the students’ protests against exam irregularities, and said that accountability must extend beyond political resignations.

Akanksha (Left) and her suicide note (Right)

She remarked during an interaction with the media, “We are not satisfied with Minister Pradhan’s resignation. We have extended our support to the students’ protest. Those involved in the paper leak should be sentenced to death.”

Kin say paper cancellation crushed Akanksha’s dreams

A native of Madhya Pradesh, Akanksha had relocated to Nagpur along with her family to prepare for the NEET exam. She had enrolled in a coaching institute and took the May 3, 2026 exam.

As per her mother, Akanksha had returned from the examination feeling confident and believed she had performed well. However, after she learnt that the exam had been cancelled following the paper leak controversy and a re-examination had been announced a month later, she slid into despair and died by suicide on May 20.

Recalling the family’s ordeal, Neelam said no punishment could bring her daughter back, but she hoped the guilty would be held accountable.

Akanksha details ordeal in suicide note

In a handwritten suicide note, Akanksha expressed the immense pressure and emotional turmoil she had been experiencing after the cancellation of the exam. Her suicide note read, “Mom and Dad, you had faith that your daughter would study hard and become a doctor, but I no longer have the courage to take the NEET exam again. I was scoring good marks in my first attempt, but now there is no guarantee that I will perform well again. I am sorry, Mom and Dad. I have ruined everything.”

Her family members said the uncertainty surrounding the exam shattered her confidence despite months of dedicated preparation.

Family left devastated after Akanksha’s suicide

Neelam said the incident had left the family struggling emotionally and financially. She further said that Akanksha’s father had suffered two heart attacks and was also paralysed.

She said, “Akanksha’s father has suffered two heart attacks and has also been paralysed. Who will take care of us now? If my daughter were alive, she would have handled everything.” Her family members added that her father had taken immense financial risks to support her dream of becoming a doctor. Besides cultivating a small piece of land, he also worked as a cook in Nagpur to fund the family’s expenses and his daughter’s financial objectives.

Her uncle Jagdish Prasad Chaturvedi recalled that Akanksha had initially returned home in high spirits after the exam, expecting to score as much as 650 marks. However, after the news of the paper leak broke and the test was cancelled, she withdrew into herself, stopped eating properly and spoke very little.

He mourned her loss, saying, “We never imagined things would end this way,” terming the loss an irreparable tragedy for the family.