A first-term cadet of the National Defence Academy (NDA) was found dead in his hostel room at the premier military training institute in Pune early on Friday, news agency PTI reported. Police suspect it to be a case of suicide.
The cadet’s family has alleged that harassment by seniors drove him to take the extreme step. A court of inquiry has been ordered by the NDA to investigate the incident.
According to police, the cadet was found dead by his batchmates after he failed to report for morning training. No note was recovered from the scene, but initial findings suggest suicide, a police officer said.
The 18-year-old cadet hailed from Lucknow and came from a family with an armed forces background, PTI reported. His father and uncle have served in the army.
Everything was reportedly fine until he recently complained to his mother about harassment by some seniors. Following this, the family took the matter to the authorities at the academy. His mother and grandmother visited the NDA before Navratri to raise their concerns. The NDA authorities responded and assured them that appropriate action would be taken, the cadet’s maternal uncle said.
The uncle further stated that the cadet had spoken to his mother on Thursday afternoon and appeared normal during the call. “He spoke to his mother in the afternoon, but it seems something happened later in the evening as there was some party there. It seems something happened during the party which made him very sad and prompted him to take the extreme step,” he added.
He also mentioned that the cadet was disturbed by the alleged harassment and had spoken about discontinuing his training. “He used to say that he did not want to continue at the academy,” the uncle said.
In an official statement, the NDA confirmed the cadet’s death and announced that an inquiry had been initiated.
“A first-term cadet died in the early hours of Friday. He was found in lifeless condition in his cabin by fellow cadets after he failed to report for the day’s training. He was immediately rushed to the Military Hospital, Khadakwasla, where he was declared dead at 6:30 am,” the statement said.
The NDA added that the cadet’s family and local police had been informed, and a court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident. Police have stated that further investigation is underway.
