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NEET aspirant Lokesh Kumawat swept away by canal currents, sparking an overnight search. How did a routine visit to a picnic spot turn fatal, and what does this mean for the city’s competitive exam hub?
NEET aspirant swept sway in canal
Kota: Tragedy struck the NEET preparation hub of Kota on Thursday evening when 24-year-old aspirant Lokesh Kumawat was swept away by a canal current, prompting an overnight search that ended with the recovery of his body on Friday morning.
According to police officials, Lokesh, a resident of Jaipur district, had been preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) in Kota for the past three to four years. He was living in a hostel in Kunhadi, an area well-known for housing a large number of competitive exam students.
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Inspector Mangelal Yadav of Kunhadi Circle stated that the incident occurred around 6 pm while Lokesh was returning to his hostel after visiting picnic spots with friends. “He stopped near the Main Canal and went down to wash his face. Unfortunately, he slipped and was instantly swept away by the strong current as water was being released from the Chambal,” the officer explained.
A search operation was immediately launched following the incident. However, visibility issues forced authorities to suspend the efforts for the night. The operation resumed early Friday morning, leading to the recovery of Lokesh’s body in the Nanta area, approximately 400–500 meters from the initial spot where he fell.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the incident was accidental, with no foul play suspected, police said.
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The body was handed over to Lokesh’s family after a post-mortem examination. Nanta Circle Inspector Chetan Sharma confirmed that the family raised no concerns or suspicions regarding the circumstances of the death. In accordance with standard procedure, a case has been registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
Kota, often dubbed the coaching capital of India, attracts thousands of students preparing for competitive exams like NEET and JEE. Incidents such as this have sparked conversations about student safety, especially near water bodies and other risky areas in the city.
The tragic demise of Lokesh Kumawat has left the local student community and his family in mourning, highlighting the challenges and pressures faced by aspirants in the city.
