NEET Aspirant Dies After Falling From Third Floor in Indore

An 18-year-old NEET aspirant, who fell from the third floor of a private residential building in Indore late Thursday night, succumbed to her injuries during treatment on Friday morning. The incident was captured on CCTV.

Investigators are examining whether it was a case of suicide or an accidental fall. The student, Avantika Maurya, a native of Dhar district, was living with her elder sister, Dr Sapna Maurya, in a building in Dhakad Colony under Bhanwarkuan police station limits.

According to family members, she had appeared for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) three times and remained determined to pursue MBBS despite repeated setbacks. Her cousin Harsha said that Avantika had spoken to her over a video call around 9.30 pm on Thursday. Although she did not share anything unusual, she had been upset since the cancellation of the examination despite performing well.

According to police, Avantika was talking to her cousin Naina on the phone around 11.30 pm when she climbed the stairs towards the terrace. Moments later, she fell from the third floor. Residents who heard the noise rushed out and informed the police and ambulance services.

CCTV footage showed a young man standing near the gate running towards her immediately after the fall. Her father, Dr Banshilal Maurya, a medical officer posted in Bhikangaon in Khargone district, had arrived in Indore five days earlier for training at MY Hospital and was present inside the flat when the incident occurred. He rushed his daughter to a private hospital, from where she was referred to MY Hospital. She died during treatment around 5 am on Friday.

Dr Sapna Maurya told police that Avantika had been unusually withdrawn throughout the day. She was not interacting normally and responded to most questions with only yes or no. Her cousin Dhan Singh told police that she had attempted suicide earlier in January by consuming phenyl. Following repeated unsuccessful attempts at NEET, family members had advised her against continuing preparations and had secured her admission to a pharmacy college in Khargone this year. Additional DCP Dishesh Agarwal said that the investigators are examining Avantika’s mobile phone, call records and other circumstances surrounding the incident. A forensic team has inspected the spot and the exact cause of the fall would be established after the investigation.