Princy Kumari, a 20-year-old second-year B.Tech Computer Science student at O.P. Jindal University, was reportedly found dead in her hostel room in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, on Saturday night,.
The native of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, allegedly took her own life after struggling with the pressure of second-year exams and multiple pending backlogs from her first year.
A suicide note recovered by the police highlights her deep remorse over failing to meet parental expectations and the financial burden of her education. Authorities have registered a case of accidental death and are currently examining the victim’s phone and the recovered note for further leads.
Chhattisgarh Student Suicide
The tragic demise of Princy Kumari has sent shockwaves through the academic community in both Chhattisgarh and her hometown of Jamshedpur. As a second-year student in a demanding B.Tech programme, she was reportedly under immense psychological strain.
Investigating officers revealed that she had failed five subjects in her first semester, and the prospect of clearing these backlogs while maintaining her current grades became an insurmountable mental hurdle.
This incident highlights the “pressure cooker” environment often found in professional engineering colleges, where students feel that one academic failure defines their entire future and worth in society.
Heartbreaking Suicide Note
The most distressing aspect of the case is the suicide note found near the student’s body. In the letter, Princy addressed her parents with profound sorrow, apologising for not being the “perfect child” they envisioned. “Sorry Mummy Papa, I couldn’t meet your expectations,” the note reportedly read, India Today reported.
She explicitly mentioned her guilt regarding the ₹1 lakh recently spent on her semester fees, stating that she felt she was wasting her father’s hard-earned money, as per reports. Raigarh Additional SP Akash Markam confirmed that the note pointed directly toward academic frustration.
This tragic narrative reveals a common pattern where students internalise financial stress, viewing their education as a debt they must repay through high grades.
Police Investigation
The incident came to light after Princy stopped responding to her family’s phone calls, prompting them to contact the hostel warden. When the warden found the door locked from the inside and received no response, the police were called to break open the room.
Punjipathra police station in-charge, Mohan Bhardwaj, stated that the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. The university administration has since expressed its condolences, but the tragedy has sparked a debate on the adequacy of mental health support for hostel residents. Police are now interviewing classmates to understand if Princy had displayed signs of depression.
Addressing the Silent Crisis
This tragedy adds to the alarming statistics of student suicides in India, which have seen a steady rise over the last decade. Educational experts argue that the lack of robust bridge programmes for students with backlogs often leaves them feeling isolated and helpless.
Furthermore, the cultural stigma surrounding failure prevents many from seeking professional counseling. In Princy’s case, the combination of a difficult syllabus, the financial weight of private university fees, and the fear of social judgment created a fatal environment.
The local administration is now being urged to mandate regular mental health check-ups for all students living away from home.
Read This: Student Suicides in India Surge 65% in a Decade, NCRB Data Sparks Alarming Questions
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that no degree, backlog, or amount of money is more valuable than a human life. It is a collective failure of our society when a 20-year-old feels that her only escape from “academic failure” is death.
We must dismantle the culture of toxic competition that forces children to view themselves as financial investments for their parents. We advocate for a more empathetic education system that prioritises emotional well-being over marks and offers a safe space for students to fail without shame.
Mental Health Support Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health issues, please seek immediate help. Trained professionals are available at the following helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832-2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline (Kolkata) 033-64643267. Immediate support can save lives.
