A Class XI student of a West Delhi’s prominent school is battling for his life after he jumped off the fourth floor of his residential building in Ashok Vihar Phase 1 on Wednesday afternoon.
Police suspect that the suicide attempt by teenager Kush Aggrawal is linked to the “Blue Whale Challenge” where adolescents are asked to complete tasks in 50 days and by the end, the person is asked to end his life. “From the terrace, we found his slippers, spectacles and the mobile phone which was locked. Since his condition is critical and he is unfit to give a statement, we are waiting for him to gain consciousness,” said a senior officer on Friday, requesting anonymity.
“We have quizzed the parents of Kush about his behaviour. They told us that he was behaving normally and it was only for the last two weeks that Kush had started staying inside his room. Assuming that their son was tense about his academics, they did not question him much. Moreover, the parents told us that they never kept an eye on his activities on the social media,” said the officer.
Police said Kush studied at Montfort Senior Secondary school and was at home with his mother when the incident happened. Due to the fall, Kush has sustained injuries to his leg, neck and spinal cord and is admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, police said.
“Kush’s mother was in her room and was taking a nap and Kush was in his own room. As per his mother’s statement, he returned from the school on that day and went into his room after eating the lunch. The family lives on the third floor. Around 3pm, Kush left his room and sneaked in to his terrace on the fourth floor. From there, he jumped from the backside of his building. His mother, who was sleeping did not know about Kush’s suicide bid,” a senior police officer privy to the investigation said.
After hearing a thud, a neighbour rushed out of her home and informed Kush’s mother and police, said sources.
Kush, bleeding profusely, was rushed to a nearby hospital from where he was referred to Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh.
However, as his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Neighbours and close friends of Kush said he is a well mannered and intelligent boy. “Kush used to come to play with us in the evening every day. However, for the past few days, he was not coming,” said Ishan, his neighbourhood friend. Kush’s father Rajesh Aggrawal is a businessman and runs a dry fruits shop in Khari Baoli in Chandni Chowk. Natives of Rajasthan, the Aggrawals moved to Delhi five years ago.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Milind Dumbere said, “We are investigating the case from all angles. Since the cellphone of Kush is locked, we are waiting for him to be fit to give a statement to know the exact sequence of events.” Police said they have registered an FIR at the Ashok Vihar police station under relevant sections of the IPC.