NDA Cadet Death in Pune: Mother Had Visited Academy Over Ragging Concerns
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Khadakwasla, 10th October 2025: A first-term cadet of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, was found dead in his cabin early Friday morning, prompting the academy to order a Court of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
The deceased cadet, identified as 18-year-old Antriksh Kumar Singh from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was part of Charlie Squadron and had joined the prestigious military training institution in July this year.
According to Uttamnagar police, the incident came to light when Singh did not report for his morning physical training session. “His cabin was found locked from the inside. After being alerted, squadron officials forced the door open and found him hanging from the ceiling fan with a bedsheet,” said Police Inspector Rahul Khandare.
He added, “At this stage, it appears to be a case of suicide. The body has been sent to the Military Hospital, Khadakwasla, for post-mortem. His parents have been informed and are on their way to Pune.” Police also confirmed that no suicide note was found at the scene.
Family members, however, have alleged that Antriksh had been subjected to harassment by seniors at the academy and that they had recently raised the issue with the authorities.
“Everything was fine until he called his mother recently and said that some seniors were troubling him. His mother and grandmother even visited the NDA before Navratri to report the matter. The officials assured us they would take necessary action,” said A.P. Singh, the cadet’s maternal uncle and a retired Army officer.
He further added, “Antriksh spoke to his mother on Thursday afternoon and seemed normal. But later that evening, there was a party at the academy. We believe something happened during or after that event which deeply upset him and may have led him to take this extreme step.”
Responding to the incident, Defence PRO (Pune) Ankush Chavan said, “The cadet was found unresponsive in his cabin by fellow cadets after failing to report for training. He was immediately taken to the Military Hospital, Khadakwasla, where he was declared dead at 6:30 am. The next of kin and local police have been informed. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident.”
