In India, police are investigating a shocking case where a 20-year-old man, Suraj Bhaskar, allegedly amputated his own leg in a desperate bid to gain admission to medical school. Bhaskar, an ambitious young man from Uttar Pradesh, had failed the national medical entrance exam (NEET) twice but was determined to become a doctor. After his family found him unconscious with his leg severed in a village, he claimed he was the victim of a violent attack. However, the police investigation quickly uncovered numerous contradictions in his story. An officer stated, «The victim changed his statements repeatedly and tried to mislead the police.» Forensic evidence, including syringes found near the scene, suggested he used an anesthetic on his leg before the amputation. A medical report confirmed the leg was «cleanly cut, likely with a machine.» Furthermore, police found notes written by Suraj that read, «I will become a doctor in 2026,» and testimonies from his girlfriend about his obsession with getting into medical college. Authorities now suspect that Bhaskar self-amputated his leg to fraudulently qualify for a reserved seat for disabled students in medical colleges. Indian law mandates a 5% reservation for persons with disabilities in higher education institutions. While the police are confident in their theory, the legal implications of his actions are complex, as he has now become disabled to claim disability benefits. He has not yet been formally charged, and his severed leg has not been recovered.
