A heartbreaking case from Maharashtra has shocked the entire country. A 17-year-old girl named Sadhna Bhonsle, who was preparing for the NEET medical entrance exam, lost her life after being beaten by her own father for scoring low marks in a mock test.

Sadhna was from Sangli district and was a Class 12 science student. She had scored more than 92% in her Class 10 board exams and was seen as a bright student in her village. Her father, Dhondiram Bhagwan, a school principal, had high hopes of seeing her become a doctor.

On the night of 20 June 2025, her father got angry over her low mock test marks and, in front of her mother and younger brother, beat her with a wooden handle from a stone grinder. Sadhna got serious head injuries. She was rushed to the hospital the next day but was declared dead on arrival. The post-mortem confirmed she died due to multiple injuries.

On 22 June, her mother filed a police complaint, and her father was arrested. The police said that Sadhna had argued back, saying even he wasn’t a top scorer in school. This made him angrier, and he hit her brutally.

This incident has raised serious questions about parental pressure on students, especially during competitive exams like NEET. Authorities like the District Child Protection Unit are now checking on the mental health of Sadhna’s younger brother who saw everything.

Sadhna’s death is not just a personal tragedy. It shows the extreme pressure many students face. Social media users have strongly reacted, saying no exam or mark is more important than a child’s life. Mental health experts are demanding parental counselling, stress workshops in schools, and national support systems for students.

This tragic case reminds us that children need support, not pressure. And maybe, it’s not the children—but the parents—who need guidance in today’s competitive world.

Tags

• neet exam
• sadhana bhosale
• sangli

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