Disabled aspirant dies on the way home after NEET

The deceased, identified as M Sandhya, was accompanied by her father Muniyasami to the exam centre. Sources said the girl, who was physically challenged, and her father took a bus to their village after the exam ended at 5 pm.

She fainted when the bus neared Thirupuvanam, following which Muniyasami took her to the local government hospital. She was then referred to the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital after he pulse rate dropped. However, Sandhya was declared dead by doctors there on arrival around 8.30 pm.

Sources from the hospital said the girl had a prior history of epilepsy. The exact cause for her death would be known only after the post-mortem report was out, they added.

A crestfallen father, Muniyasami said his daughter did not eat properly before the exam, claiming that her health had deteriorated due to the restriction imposed by NEET authorities on the pretext of checking her prior to admitting her into the hall.

Citing the above reasons, which he claimed had led to Sandhya’s death, Muniyasami submitted a petition to the Revenue Divisional Officer in Paramakudi seeking a government job for another daughter.

When contacted, Madurai Collector S Nagarajan said he was awaiting a report from the Madurai GRH to ascertain the cause of death.

After enquiring, Ramanathapuram Collector K Veera Raghava Rao said the death had nothing to do with the exam. Sandhya’s body was cremated in the presence of her family members and officials from the Revenue Department and police. The Thirupuvanam police have filed a case under Section 174 of the CrPC (suspicious death).

Sources said a total of 15,419 candidates appeared for NEET in 35 centres across Madurai district. Though 18,060 candidates had applied for the exam, 2,641 candidates had failed to turn up.