In a tragic incident, a 23-year-old NEET aspirant, Lokesh Dangi, who had been missing for six days, was found dead in a canal near Anta in Baran district of Rajasthan. Lokesh, a native of Bhadahedi village in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district, had been living in Kota for the past five years while preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

According to police, locals discovered the body trapped between tree branches in the canal near a railway culvert close to the NTPC plant and informed authorities. Police reached the spot and recovered the body, which was in a decomposed condition after remaining in water for several days.

Family members identified him at the mortuary based on his clothes. Relatives said Lokesh had left his hostel on February 17 but never returned. After his phone remained switched off, the family filed a missing complaint at Borekheda police station. Police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause and circumstances of his death.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns surrounding student safety and mental health among competitive exam aspirants in Kota.