A tragic incident has rocked the National Defence Academy (NDA) located in Khadakwasla near Pune, after an 18-year-old cadet was found dead under mysterious circumstances. The deceased, identified as Cadet Antariksh Kumar Singh from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was a first-term trainee. He was discovered lifeless in his hostel room on the morning of October 10, 2025, leading to widespread shock and grief across the academy and the nation.
The Incident
According to initial reports, fellow cadets began searching for Antariksh after he failed to report for his morning training session. He was later found hanging from a bedsheet inside his room. He was immediately rushed to the Military Hospital, Khadakwasla, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The Uttam Nagar Police have registered the case as an Accidental Death Report (ADR). While no suicide note was recovered, preliminary findings suggest the possibility of suicide, pending confirmation through the post-mortem report.
Family Alleges Ragging
The incident took a serious turn after Antariksh’s family accused senior cadets of continuous harassment, alleging that ragging may have driven their son to take this extreme step. “He had been mentally harassed by senior cadets for the past few days. We informed the academy officials, but they ignored our concerns. This unbearable harassment led him to this step. We demand justice,” the family said in their statement to Pune Police.
Antariksh, the son of an ex-serviceman, had joined the NDA only a few months ago with dreams of becoming an officer in the Indian Air Force. His sudden demise has deeply shocked both his family and his peers.
NDA and Police Response
The Pune Police confirmed that an ADR has been registered and that investigations are underway. “We are awaiting the post-mortem report and statements from all involved before commenting on the cause of death. The allegations of ragging are being taken seriously,” a senior police official stated.
Meanwhile, the NDA administration expressed profound sorrow over the incident and announced a Court of Inquiry to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to the cadet’s death. The academy has assured full cooperation with law enforcement agencies and extended support to the bereaved family during this difficult time.
Ongoing Investigation
Both the Pune Police and the NDA Court of Inquiry are now investigating the case from multiple angles — including the family’s allegations of ragging, possible psychological distress, and institutional accountability. The outcome of the investigation is awaited to uncover the truth behind this tragic loss of a promising young cadet.
