In a heart-wrenching incident in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, a 16-year-old girl named Sadhana Bhosale was brutally beaten to death by her father, Dhondiram Bhosale, on June 20, 2025, over her low score in a NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) mock exam. The tragic event, which unfolded in Nelkaranji village, Atpadi taluka, has shocked the nation, prompting the Maharashtra government to issue a warning against extreme parental pressure on students.
The Incident
Sadhana, a Class 12 student at Khebudkar College in Atpadi, was a bright student with a dream of becoming a doctor. Having scored 92.6% in her Class 10 board exams, she was preparing for the highly competitive NEET exam. However, her performance in a recent mock test fell short of her father’s expectations, sparking a heated argument on the night of June 20.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Sadhana’s mother, Preeti Bhosale, the family had dinner around 9 PM. While Preeti and her son Digvijay went to sleep upstairs, Sadhana and her father, a 45-year-old school principal at Shivaji High School, stayed in the drawing room. Enraged by her low test scores, Dhondiram began berating Sadhana. When she pleaded, “I will study better next time. Please give me one more chance,” and reportedly questioned his own academic record, saying, “Papa, did you become a collector?” her father’s anger escalated.
In a fit of rage, Dhondiram grabbed the wooden handle of a stone grinder and beat Sadhana mercilessly in front of his wife and son. Despite their attempts to intervene, Sadhana collapsed, unresponsive. The family rushed her to a private hospital in Atpadi the next morning, but she succumbed to multiple injuries, including severe head trauma, before treatment could save her.
Police Action and Investigation
Following Sadhana’s last rites, Preeti filed a complaint on June 22, leading to Dhondiram’s arrest by the Atpadi police. He was charged under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. After being presented in court, he was remanded to judicial custody on June 25. Senior Inspector Vinay Bahir confirmed that the post-mortem report cited multiple injuries as the cause of death, and the investigation is ongoing to ascertain further details.
Government’s Response
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, highlighting the intense pressure faced by students preparing for competitive exams like NEET. On June 24, the Maharashtra government issued a public advisory urging parents to support their children’s mental health and avoid extreme reactions to academic performance. The Education Department emphasized the need for counseling and awareness programs in schools to address parental expectations and student stress. “No exam is worth a child’s life,” a government spokesperson stated, announcing plans to collaborate with NGOs to provide mental health support for students.
Public Outcry and Social Media Reaction
The tragedy has ignited a national conversation about the toxic culture surrounding competitive exams in India. Posts on X expressed grief and anger, with many calling Sadhana’s death a result of “unrealistic expectations” and “parental possession.” Users shared her story, noting her 92.6% Class 10 score and her aspiration to become a doctor, while condemning the violence that ended her life. The incident has also drawn comparisons to rising suicide rates among students facing academic pressure, particularly in states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
A Call for Change
Sadhana’s death underscores the urgent need to address the mental health crisis among students and the societal obsession with exam results. Educationists are calling for reforms to reduce the pressure of competitive exams and promote holistic development. The Maharashtra government has promised to strengthen school counseling programs and urged parents to prioritize their children’s well-being over academic success.
As the nation mourns Sadhana, her story serves as a stark reminder that love and support, not violence, should guide the dreams of India’s youth.