Lucknow/Pune, 13th October 2025: Just two days before his untimely death, 18-year-old National Defence Academy (NDA) cadet Antriksh Kumar Singh was eagerly planning to return home to Lucknow for Diwali. He had coordinated with his mother, Seema Singh, to book air tickets for himself and a course mate, looking forward to celebrating the festival with his family.
Tragically, on the morning of October 10, Antriksh was found hanging in his cabin at the Charlie Squadron of the NDA in Khadakwasla. Authorities are treating the case as a suspected suicide, leaving his family in shock and searching for answers.
Seema recounted her final conversation with her son to the media: тАЬHe called around 5 pm on October 9 and asked about my well-being. He said, тАШMaa, tum theek ho? Apna khayal rakhana, baad mein baat karta hu.тАЩ His voice was completely normal, with no hint of distress,тАЭ she said.
The previous day, October 8, Antriksh had spoken at length with Seema and his younger brother, Abhinav, expressing excitement about the upcoming Diwali break and urging his mother to book tickets early to avoid price surges.
On the evening before his death, Antriksh had participated as the lead singer in a practice session for an NDA event. A video from the session, shared with the media, shows him appearing cheerful and full of energy. тАЬCan anyone believe that such a lively boy would take his life just hours later?тАЭ Seema said, her voice heavy with grief.
Seema has also raised concerns about the NDAтАЩs handling of the incident, requesting access to CCTV footage to understand her sonтАЩs movements in the hours leading up to his death. Weeks earlier, Antriksh had considered leaving the academy, but continued his training after his motherтАЩs intervention.
