On Monday night, an 18-year-old coaching student, identified as Valmiki Prasad Jangid (18), took his own life in Rajasthan’s Kota. Jangid was a resident of Bihar’s Gaya.

This marks the fourth suicide within the month of August alone and the 21st such tragedy since January this year.

As per the police, the incident was reported around 10 pm on Monday night, with the police receiving official information by 8 pm on Tuesday night.

When Valmiki was not seen by fellow students until 7 pm on Tuesday evening, a nearby student proceeded to knock on his room’s door, only to receive no response.

Subsequently, the landlord was informed and arrived at the scene approximately half an hour later. After failed attempts to enter the room, local authorities were contacted. The police, in conjunction with the landlord, entered the room around 8 pm, revealing Valmiki’s body hanging from a window.

Valmiki had been preparing for the IIT entrance examination.

Valmiki’s father, Vinod, a retired Subedar from the Army, along with relatives, arrived in Kota on Wednesday morning. Vinod said that Valmiki had chosen to study in Kota independently, despite his reluctance to be sent there. During phone conversations on the evening of August 14, Valmiki had shown no signs of distress.

Between January and August 15, 21 suicide cases have been reported. Of these cases, 13 students arrived in Kota within a timeframe of two to three months up to a year. Furthermore, two attempted suicide cases have also come to light.

Kota has become the biggest coaching industry for engineering and medical aspirants.