JAUNPUR, UTTAR PRADESH—In a chilling case of academic pressure and desperation, a 24-year-old NEET aspirant in Jaunpur’s Khalilpur village allegedly amputated his own foot using a grinder machine to qualify for the Persons with Disability (PwD) quota.
The incident, which initially triggered an “attempted murder” investigation, was revealed to be a self-inflicted injury on Friday, January 23, 2026, after local police uncovered electronic evidence and a hidden diary.
1. The Staged “Assault”
The matter began on Sunday, January 18, when Suraj’s brother, Akash Bhaskar, filed a police complaint claiming that unidentified assailants had attacked Suraj the previous night, leaving him unconscious with his left foot severed.
- The Investigation: Circle Officer (City) Goldie Gupta noted that Suraj’s statements were riddled with inconsistencies.
- The Evidence: Digital surveillance (CDR and BTS tower data) showed no movement of outsiders at the location. Furthermore, police recovered an anesthesia bottle, a syringe, and a mechanical cutter near an under-construction house.
- The Degree: Suraj holds a D.Pharma degree, which investigators believe gave him the medical knowledge to self-administer anesthesia before the act.
2. Driven by “Cognitive Rigidity”
Suraj had reportedly become obsessed with securing a medical seat after failing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) twice.
- The Failed BHU Visit: In October 2025, Suraj visited Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to attempt to obtain a disability certificate through legal channels but was rejected as he did not meet the criteria.
- The Diary Entry: Police seized a notebook where Suraj had repeatedly written, “I will become an MBBS doctor in 2026.” * Personal Pressure: Questioning of his girlfriend revealed that Suraj felt his life would be a failure if he didn’t secure admission by 2026, a condition he believed was necessary to marry her.
3. Current Status & Legal Consequences
Suraj is currently stable and undergoing treatment at a private hospital. However, his “gambit” has left him in significant legal and physical peril:
- False FIR: A “final report” will be filed to close the attempted murder case, but Suraj faces potential charges for misleading public servants and filing a false complaint (likely under Section 211 of the IPC or relevant BNS sections).
- Admission Eligibility: It remains unclear if a self-inflicted disability would even be recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) for quota purposes, as disability verification boards at centers like BHU conduct rigorous forensic and medical screenings.
NEET PwD Quota: Fact vs. Myth
| Feature | Policy / Reality | Suraj’s Act |
| Reservation | 5% horizontal reservation for benchmark disabilities. | Sought this to lower his qualifying cutoff. |
| Criteria | Minimum 40% disability as per RPwD Act 2016. | Amputated foot/toe to meet this mark. |
| Verification | Must be certified by 16 designated hospitals (e.g., BHU, AIIMS). | BHU had already rejected his initial claim. |
| Mental Health | Academic stress is a rising concern in NEET hubs. | Classified as “cognitive rigidity” by IMS BHU experts. |