Navy Cadet’s Family Alleges Foul Play After Suicide Note is Found

The cadet’s family alleged that he was killed by academy officials who “tortured, humiliated and harassed” him.

Navy cadet Gudeppa Sooraj allegedly jumped from the second floor of the INA’s academic wing on 17 May. (Photo: The Quint)

Police on Saturday questioned officials at the Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kerala in connection with the death of a 26-year-old cadet whose family has alleged foul play by its staff in his death.

Police had recovered a purported suicide note from the uniform worn by the cadet Gudeppa Sooraj, who allegedly jumped from the second floor of the Indian Naval Academy’s (INA) academic wing on 17 May, in which he named some officials who allegedly harassed him.

“We went to the academy and questioned the officials there. We also went to the spot where the cadet had fallen,” police officials investigating the case told PTI.

Also Read: Southern Naval Command Orders Probe Into 26-Year-Old Cadet’s Death

Sooraj was found in an unconscious state and was rushed to Pariyaram medical college hospital, where he died the following day. The Navy had said he died of cardiac arrest. Police said they are verifying if the note was actually written by him.

“We cannot treat it as exclusive evidence. Investigations are going on,” police sources said.

The cadet's family has alleged that he was killed by the academy officials who "tortured, humiliated and harassed" him.

The cadet's brother Sanoj alleged that his brother was "hit with hockey sticks and his bones were broken in the name of discipline". He said that Sooraj would never commit suicide.

Based on their complaint, police had registered a case under Section 174 of the Crpc (unnatural death).

Naval sources have maintained that the allegations are "baseless" and that the Navy had nothing to hide. The Navy has also constituted a board of inquiry.