Published Aug 10, 2026 | 7:36 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 10, 2026 | 7:36 PM
Arjun's only sibling, Aija was found hanging in a hostel in Pala on June 2 while preparing for the NEET re-examination.
Synopsis: The only sibling of a NEET aspirant who died by suicide was found hanging in a hotel room in Mangaluru on Monday. According to police, Arjun Mahesh, who worked as an automobile engineer in Dubai was founding it hard to cope with his sister’s death and was under severe stress.
The only sibling of 19-year-old Aija R Mahesh, a NEET aspirant who died by suicide after the exam was cancelled due to a question paper leak, was found hanging in a hotel near Mangaluru International Airport on Monday, 10 August.
Arjun Mahesh (24) was found hanging at the Sky Grand Empire Hotel in Maravoor around noon, according to Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy. Police recovered a small note beside the body, which began with the words “Amma, I’m sorry.” The note also contained a request for some of Mahesh’s friends to be informed about his death.
Mahesh worked as an automobile engineer with Nissan in Dubai. He was in Kerala when his sister Aija allegedly died by suicide while preparing for the NEET re-examination scheduled for June 21. She was found hanging in a hostel room in Kottayam district’s Pala on June 2. Aija died on June 3, while being under treatment at a private hospital.
Aija’s mother had then said that her daughter was confident of getting good scores in the original examination conducted on May 3 but was visibly troubled after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the exam over the alleged paper leak and ordered a retest. She reportedly returned to her hostel in Pala, telling her family that she was unable to focus on her studies at home.
According to police, Arjun was finding it hard to cope with his sister’s death and was under severe emotional distress. He left for work after the death, but returned to Kerala on August 9, without informing his family.
Arjun’s relatives said he had told his close friends about his journey but asked them not to inform his family. After reaching Mangaluru, Arjun had contacted his mother around noon on Sunday, but did not tell her about him being in Kerala.
Later, Arjun’s friends informed his family that he had reached Kerala. However, when his relatives tried to contact him, his phone was switched off. Following this, Arjun’s family travelled to Mangaluru and sought assistance from the police. They searched several lodges but were unable to find him. His body was discovered at the Maravoor lodge on Monday.
Police said Arjun had booked the room under the name Arjun Radhika using his mother’s name instead of his original name Arjun Mahesh.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
