Accused of cheating in exam, Bangalore student jumps off third floor

In a shocking incident, an 18-year-old II PUC student of St Joseph's Composite PU College on Thursday attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the third-floor of the college building, after she was allegedly caught indulging in malpractice in the exam hall.

Police said that S Sharanya, a student studying in the science stream, resorted to this step after she was caught by the invigilator with chits during the exam.

The incident occurred around 9.00 am, a few minutes after the pre-board exam had started. Sharanya was allegedly caught by the invigilator with chits and was asked to leave the exam hall immediately. An embarrassed Sharanya, who is said to be a bright student, jumped off the third floor.

Startled faculty members on the ground floor, who witnessed the incident, immediately rushed the girl to Mallya Hospital and alerted her family. Dr Kanchan Sanyal, medical superintendent, Mallya Hospital, said the girl was admitted to the hospital at 9.05am. "She has suffered a fracture in her right arm and a fractured rib. She has not sustained any head injury."

But college authorities did not confirm the news involving Sharanya. A statement from the principal and lecturers said that Sharanya had taken this extreme step under exam pressure.
Fr Gilbert Saldana, principal, SJCPUC, said he did not know why the student had resorted to this step. "It might be due to the pressure she might have faced during the examination," said Saldana.