The resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has brought an end to the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. While the Centre has announced a series of measures, including fast-track courts and stricter legal provisions to tackle paper leak cases, the families of students who lost their lives say no action can undo their loss.
Among them is Neelum Chaturvedi, mother of Akanksha Chaturvedi, the NEET aspirant from Nagpur who died by suicide after the examination was cancelled. Reacting to Pradhan’s resignation, she said it was not enough and demanded the strictest punishment for those responsible for the paper leak.
“My daughter will never return. We are not satisfied with Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Those involved in the paper leak should be hanged,” she said while extending support to the ongoing student protests.
Akanksha died by suicide on May 20, a few weeks after the NEET-UG examination was cancelled amid the paper leak controversy.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Neelum said accountability should not end with a minister’s resignation and urged the authorities to ensure those responsible face the harshest possible punishment.
‘I Don’t Have the Courage to Take NEET Again’
Akanksha, also known as Sneha, hailed from Mauganj district in Madhya Pradesh. Her father, Krishna Kumar Chaturvedi, is a farmer who owns around 4.5 acres of agricultural land in Magania village. To support her medical education, the family had taken a loan of Rs 3 lakh through a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and also borrowed money from relatives.
Following her death, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi described the tragedy as a consequence of a “corrupt and broken system.”
In the suicide note recovered after her death, Akanksha expressed fear and uncertainty about appearing for the examination again.
“Mom and Dad, you had faith in me that your daughter would study and become a doctor, but I don’t have the courage to take NEET again. I was getting good marks in the previous NEET exam, but what guarantee is there that I will do well again? Sorry, Mom and Dad, I’ve ruined everything for both of you,” she wrote.
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