In Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, 24-year-old NEET aspirant Suraj Bhaskar allegedly amputated part of his own left foot to fraudulently obtain a disability quota for MBBS admission, misleading police with a fabricated assault claim.

A deeply disturbing incident in Khalilpur village emerged when Suraj Bhaskar, a young man preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), reported that unknown assailants had attacked him and severed his left foot, leaving only the heel.

An FIR for attempted murder was registered by Line Bazar police based on his written complaint and initial account.

However, investigators quickly identified inconsistencies in Bhaskar’s statements. Under further scrutiny, his narrative began to unravel. Police examining his call detail records, phone data and other evidence found no electronic trace of anyone being near him at the time he claimed the assault occurred.

In the course of the probe, officers discovered a personal diary in which Bhaskar had repeatedly written, “I will become an MBBS doctor in 2026,” suggesting an obsessive focus on medical admission.

His girlfriend, questioned as part of the investigation, corroborated that he was under intense pressure to secure a seat and had spoken about gaining eligibility by any means necessary.

Police also located injections and tools at an under-construction site near the scene, which investigators believe may be linked to anaesthesia and the clean amputation.

Though the severed foot was not recovered, officers suspect that Bhaskar, who holds a Diploma in Pharmacy, may have administered anaesthesia to himself before severing his foot with a machine.

Bhaskar is currently hospitalised in a private facility in Jaunpur, where he is reported to be stable, and authorities intend to record his detailed statement once he recovers.

Legal teams are now seeking opinions on applicable sections of law to charge him for providing false information and misleading investigators.

The Toll of NEET, Repeated Failures and Desperation

Suraj Bhaskar is reported to have twice attempted the NEET examination without success, a common plight for many aspirants battling fierce competition for limited seats in medical colleges.

The cut-off scores for government MBBS seats often exceed 600 out of 720 marks, with reservations adding complex dynamics to eligibility and admissions.

In his diary and private communications, Bhaskar had written about his ambition to become a doctor by 2026, demonstrating a singular focus that friends and family say became an overwhelming source of stress.

His earlier attempt to obtain disability paperwork from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) had reportedly failed, leaving him frustrated and determined to manufacture the very condition he believed would qualify him for the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) quota.

In India, the PwD quota for NEET reserves seats and lowers qualifying criteria for candidates with genuine, certified disabilities. This affirmative action aims to ensure equity for aspirants with physical and neurological challenges.

The quota is not intended to reward fabricated disabilities or self-inflicted harm. Nonetheless, this case appears to represent an unprecedented and extreme attempt to game the system—a desperate outcome of academic pressure.

Police Responses and Legal Dimensions

City Circle Officer Goldie Gupta, overseeing the investigation, said that Bhaskar’s varying statements intensified suspicion and prompted a detailed probe that ultimately exposed the alleged fabrication.

Police said that no evidence of an external attack was found, and the electronic and physical evidence pointed strongly toward a staged self-infliction.

Line Bazar Station House Officer Satish Singh confirmed that Bhaskar is under medical care and that once he is discharged, his statement will be formally recorded before legal procedures proceed.

Authorities are exploring relevant sections of the penal code, including provisions for misleading law enforcement, providing false evidence, and intentional self-harm resulting in a fraudulent claim.

Legal experts note that filing false complaints and lodging fabricated FIRs constitutes serious offences under Indian law, and that manipulating affirmative action systems could attract charges beyond simple misreporting.

The case has intensified calls among legal commentators for stricter verification protocols for disability certificates and more robust support systems for aspirants facing psychological stress.

Pressure on Aspirants: Broader Context

The NEET exam, a single national test for MBBS and BDS admissions across India, is known for its competitiveness. With lakhs of aspirants competing annually, the cut-off scores continue to rise, and many students spend years in preparation.

The pressure often has serious psychological consequences, including anxiety, depression and burnout. Experts have been warning for years about the need for holistic support systems, mental health counselling, and expanded career pathways that reduce the all-or-nothing stakes attached to a single exam.

Education analysts also argue that reservation systems such as PwD quotas must be robustly safeguarded-not only to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, but also to maintain trust in academic institutions and social equity mechanisms.

Fraudulent attempts, especially self-harm, distort these systems and can have ripple effects on genuinely eligible candidates who depend on them for access to opportunities.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This extraordinary incident in Jaunpur lays bare a crisis of aspiration and anxiety that plagues so many young Indians navigating high-stakes examinations.

While the integrity of reservation policies must be defended and abuse decisively penalised, we cannot ignore the deeper context: a culture that equates self-worth with narrow academic success and pushes individuals toward irreversible acts.

True reform requires sustained efforts on multiple fronts-strengthening mental health resources, diversifying career pathways beyond traditional metrics, and ensuring that affirmative action serves its intended beneficiaries with dignity and fairness.