VARANASI: A 24‑year‑old man from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh has allegedly chopped off a portion of his left foot in a shocking attempt to qualify for a medical college seat under the disability quota for NEET. The incident, which came to light after police grew suspicious of his initial story, has exposed the extreme lengths some aspirants are willing to go to secure MBBS admissions.
The accused has been identified as Suraj Bhaskar, a resident of Khalilpur in Jaunpur, who had completed a D‑Pharma course and was preparing for the NEET entrance exam. Police said he was desperate to secure an MBBS seat by 2026 and had been exploring the possibility of using the disability quota to improve his chances.
On January 18, Suraj approached the police in Varanasi claiming he had been attacked and that his left foot had been severed, leaving only the heel. Acting on his complaint, the City Police registered an FIR against two unknown persons for attempted murder. However, during interrogation, his statements began to change, raising doubts among investigators.
When pressed further, police discovered a diary in which Suraj had written about his ambition to get into an MBBS course in 2026 and his plan to obtain disability certification. His girlfriend also told investigators that he had been frustrated after failing to secure disability paperwork from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) last October.
According to the probe, Suraj allegedly decided to self‑inflict the injury, reportedly using a machine to cut off part of his foot at an under‑construction house. Electronic evidence showed no one had approached him that night, and police found injections in a nearby field, believed to be anaesthetics used during the act.
The case has sparked debate over the pressure on medical aspirants, the misuse of reservation categories and the need for stricter verification of disability claims in admissions. Authorities have said Suraj will face appropriate legal action for attempting to fraudulently avail benefits under the disability quota.
