Tragic Death at NDA: 18-Year-Old Cadet Found Hanging Amid Harassment Allegations

Police have indicated that there is no verification of ragging at this point in the investigation. (Representational)

A first-year cadet at the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), aged 18, was discovered hanging in his hostel accommodation on Friday morning in Khadakwasla near Pune. The family of the deceased has alleged that he experienced harassment from senior cadets at the institution, and they had recently brought this matter to the attention of NDA officials.

However, law enforcement authorities have stated that there is currently no evidence confirming incidents of ragging.

The NDA has commenced an official Court of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the young cadet's death.

Fellow cadets found the body of Antariksh Kumar Singh at approximately 6 AM.

No suicide note was found in the room, and the teenager was pronounced dead at the Military Hospital in Khadakwasla. Officials noted that the post-mortem examination will determine the precise cause of death.

According to his family, he was troubled by the harassment and had expressed desires to discontinue his training at the academy.

"Everything was proceeding normally until he recently informed his mother about harassment from some senior cadets. Subsequently, the family reported this to the academy authorities. His mother and grandmother visited the NDA before Navratri and highlighted the issue. The NDA administration responded and promised to take appropriate action," said Singh's maternal uncle AP Singh, a retired Indian Army personnel, as reported by PTI.

He mentioned that the teenager spoke with his mother on Thursday afternoon.

"It appears something occurred later that evening as there was an event taking place. Something seems to have happened during this event that deeply upset Antriksh and led him to take the extreme action," he stated.

Singh, from Lucknow, was an ex-serviceman's son who joined the NDA in July this year as part of Charlie Squadron, training for the Indian Air Force. His family is currently traveling to Pune.

"We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Cadet Antriksh Kumar Singh," the NDA expressed in an official statement.

A team headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Sambhaji Kadam is conducting a comprehensive investigation, with the family en route to Pune for additional inquiries.

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