Pooja was given admission in Patiala's Khalsa College last year with a promise of free hostel and food.
Highlights
- Pooja allegedly committed suicide after being denied hostel facility
- She was found hanging at her home in Patiala
- In a note addressed to PM, she said she was unable to pay travel expenses
A national-level handball player allegedly committed suicide in Punjab on Saturday after she was denied free hostel facility by her college, police have said.
In a suicide note addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 20-year-old Pooja said she had to end her life as she was unable to pay her hostel fees and travel expenses. The second year student at Patiala's Khalsa College also urged PM Modi to ensure that "underprivileged girls like me should be provided free education facility."
Pooja was given admission to the college last year with a promise of free hostel facility and food. But this year she was denied permission to stay at the hostel. Travelling to college from her home cost her Rs 120 per day, her parents have said.
Pooja's father, a vegetable vendor, was unable to afford the expenses. Pooja was reportedly considering dropping out of college due to financial constraints.
Khalsa College management has said the girl was given free admission but was not allowed free hostel facility this year because of her poor performance.
In the four-page suicide note that was handed over to police by her family, Pooja also held her coach responsible for her death. "He was the one who refused to give me a hostel room and forced me to commute from my house everyday. This will cost me Rs 3,720 per month. My father cannot afford this," the note read.
Pooja's father has filed a case of abetment to suicide against the coach.