In a disturbing development from Kota, a 16-year-old student, who had been attending coaching classes, became the victim of a brutal gangrape. This incident led to the arrest of four young men, all of whom were in the midst of preparing for the NEET examination. It emerged that one of the individuals implicated in this case had deceitfully lured the victim to his apartment under false pretenses.

Subsequently, in a heinous act, the victim was gangraped by this individual along with his three accomplices. The authorities have chosen to keep the names of the accused under wraps for the time being.

This alarming episode unfolded within the jurisdiction of the Kunhadi police station in Kota. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Uma Sharma, the victim hails from Uttar Pradesh and has been residing in Kota for around a year to prepare for the NEET examination. The gangrape occurred on February 10, but it wasn't until February 13 that the incident was officially reported to the authorities. Following the victim's detailed account of the events, a thorough investigation was launched, culminating in the apprehension of the four suspects. They were arrested from the city's prominent Landmark area on a Wednesday, marking a swift response from the local police to bring the culprits to justice.

ASP Sharma provided a harrowing account of the events leading up to the gangrape. The victim, after arriving at the house, was subjected to an attack orchestrated by the main perpetrator who had summoned three others to his residence, culminating in a brutal gangrape of the young girl.

The initial connection between the victim and one of the assailants was forged a few months earlier through social media. This digital interaction led to a personal meeting on a Saturday night, following an invitation from the accused to his apartment. During their interaction, he revealed to the girl that he was a NEET aspirant residing in a rented apartment located in the Landmark area.

The tragic incident took place on February 10, when the accused lured the minor to his apartment under the guise of a casual meet-up. Unknown to her, his three associates were also present in the flat. It was here that the group collectively subjected the victim to a gang rape.

Following the teenager's courageous step to file a complaint, the police acted promptly. On Tuesday, they registered a case against the four individuals involved. The charges were filed under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The swift action led to the detention of the accused, signaling the authorities' commitment to addressing such grave offenses with the seriousness they warrant.

ASP Sharma shed light on the backgrounds of the accused, revealing that all were engaged in preparing for entrance examinations in Kota, a city known for its coaching centers. Following thorough questioning, the arrests took place on Thursday. Among those detained, one young man comes from West Bengal, while the others originate from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with their ages ranging from 18 to 19 years.

Initially, the young victim was hesitant to file an official report regarding the incident. Despite this initial reluctance, after confiding in her friends about the distressing experience, they encouraged her to take formal action. Heeding their advice, she decided to proceed with lodging the FIR, highlighting the importance of support in such traumatic situations.

In light of the seriousness of the allegations, the case's further examination has been assigned to the Circle Officer of Kota Central. This move signifies the police department's commitment to a thorough and comprehensive investigation, ensuring that all aspects of the incident are scrutinized to bring justice to the victim.

Tragic End for a Young Dream: 16-Year-Old's Life Cut Short in Kota

In a heart-wrenching turn of events in Kota, Rajasthan, a young student's journey came to a tragic end. On Tuesday, 13th February, it was reported by the Rajasthan Police that a 16-year-old boy, who had been diligently preparing for the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), took his own life. The devastating decision came in the wake of receiving lower marks than expected in his preparatory exams. This sorrowful incident marks the third instance of student suicide in Kota within the current year.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bhawani Singh of Kota provided insights into the circumstances surrounding the young student's death. Hailing from Chhattisgarh, the boy was residing in a hostel located in the Mahaveer Nagar area of Kota, a city renowned for its coaching centers that attract students from across the nation. The tragic event is believed to have taken place in the early hours of Tuesday, sometime between 3 and 4 a.m.

Concerns arose when, the following morning, the student failed to respond to calls from his parents. Alarmed by his silence, his parents reached out to the hostel warden for assistance. It was then that the warden discovered the young student's body, confirming the worst fears of the family.

DSP Singh further noted that the student had been a part of Kota's rigorous academic environment for two years, striving to achieve his dream of excelling in the JEE. Unfortunately, it was the disappointment from his recent exam results—received just a day before his death—that led him to take such an irreversible step. This tragic event has once again highlighted the immense pressure faced by students in competitive exam preparations.

In the aftermath of the tragic incident, the police revealed that they did not discover a suicide note at the location. The bereaved parents were promptly informed about their son's demise. "The body has been sent for an autopsy," confirmed DSP Bhawani Singh, ensuring that all necessary procedures are followed to understand the circumstances leading to this unfortunate event.

The authorities are currently investigating a significant concern regarding the hostel's safety measures. It has come to light that the hostel had not installed anti-suicide devices on ceiling fans, a precaution mandated by the district administration to prevent such tragedies. This oversight is now under scrutiny, highlighting the need for stringent adherence to safety guidelines in student accommodations.

Additionally, Bhagwat Rathore, the additional district magistrate, stated that an investigation into the hostel's administration would be initiated. This inquiry will commence once the police report on the guideline violations is submitted to the district collector, aiming to address and rectify lapses in the hostel's management and safety protocols.

A Disturbing Trend in Kota: Rising Student Suicides

The recent incident adds to a growing list of student suicides in Kota, Rajasthan, a city famed for its extensive network of coaching centers. These institutions attract students nationwide, aiming to prepare for competitive exams. However, the pressure associated with this preparation has had dire consequences. For instance, on January 23, another young life was lost when 19-year-old Mohammad Zaid from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, took his own life. He was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room at Kanchan Residency, located in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar. In a subsequent action, the hostel faced seizure by authorities after it was revealed that it failed to equip ceiling fans with anti-suicide devices, a preventive measure that could potentially save lives. This pattern of incidents underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support systems and safety measures within the educational ecosystem in Kota, to safeguard the well-being of its student population.

On the 2nd of February, a tragic incident unfolded in Kota's Vigyan Nagar area, where a 27-year-old student engaged in the final year of an online BTech program in Chennai met a grievous end. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, the student was discovered in a rented accommodation, having succumbed to an apparent suicide by hanging from the ceiling fan.

Earlier in the year, the city bore witness to another sorrowful event involving an 18-year-old girl from Borkheda, Kota. The young girl, who was striving to complete her Class 12 again while living with her father—a bank employee—was found hanged in her room. It was reported that she faced immense pressure related to the competitive exams, a common challenge for many in the area.

The year 2023 marked a somber statistic for Kota, a city renowned as a preparatory ground for students aiming for competitive examinations like the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), with 26 student suicides reported. This alarming number underscores the intense stress and challenges faced by students converging from various parts of the country to secure admission to premier engineering colleges.

A Step Towards Prevention: Introduction of Anti-Suicide Devices

In response to the growing concern over student welfare, the Kota district administration took a significant step in August of the previous year. An order was mandated for all hostels and paying guest (PG) accommodations, compelling the installation of spring-loaded ceiling fans in every room. This innovative measure aims to bolster the mental well-being and safety of students residing in such facilities. The mechanism behind these fans is simple yet effective; they are designed to come down via a spring if the weight on the fan exceeds 20 kilograms, thereby acting as an 'anti-suicide device'. This initiative reflects the administration's commitment to creating a safer environment for students, offering a ray of hope amidst the challenges posed by academic pressures.