A Silent Tragedy: The Heartbreaking Story of Two Siblings Who Succumbed to Pressure in Delhi

On a quiet morning in Delhi’s Dilshad Garden, residents of a residential complex were greeted by an unbearable stench emanating from a flat. What they discovered inside was nothing short of horrifying — the lifeless, decomposing bodies of two siblings, hanging from the ceiling. The siblings, 32-year-old Veeresh Kumar Tomar and 30-year-old Preeti Tomar, had been living in the flat for five years, pursuing their dreams of cracking the UPSC exam. However, their tragic end has left behind a haunting tale of loneliness, pressure, and despair.

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THE DISCOVERY: A CHILLING SCENE

The discovery was made on a Sunday morning when Ashok Singh, a resident of the ground floor, noticed a foul smell coming from the flat above. He also saw a strange liquid seeping out from under the door. Concerned, he alerted the landlord, Rajeev, and the police were called immediately. When the authorities broke open the door, they were met with a ghastly sight — Veeresh and Preeti hanging from the ceiling, their bodies severely decomposed.

The siblings had reportedly been dead for three days, and the smell of decay had finally alerted the neighbors. The scene inside the flat was eerily silent, with no signs of a struggle or disturbance. Newspapers from the past three days lay untouched outside the door, suggesting that the siblings had not stepped out for days before taking their own lives.

A DREAM SHATTERED: THE UPSC CONNECTION

Veeresh and Preeti were not just ordinary siblings; they were ambitious, hardworking, and determined to make something of their lives. Veeresh had completed an MBA and was working at an IT company, while Preeti was pursuing Chartered Accountancy (CA). Alongside their professional pursuits, both were preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams, one of the toughest competitive exams in India.

However, their dreams were crushed when the results of the UPSC exams were announced, and both failed to clear. According to relatives, this was their last attempt at the exam, and the failure left them devastated. The pressure to succeed, coupled with the isolation they had been living in, seemed to have taken a toll on their mental health.

A LIFE OF LOSS AND LONELINESS

The siblings’ tragic end was not just the result of academic failure but also a life filled with loss and loneliness. Veeresh and Preeti had already faced significant personal tragedies. Their father, Devendra Singh Tomar, who had served as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Indian Army, passed away in 2011 due to a heart attack at Delhi Airport. A decade later, in 2021, their mother, Anita Devi, succumbed to illness. With both parents gone, the siblings were left to fend for themselves.

Their connection to their extended family in their hometown of Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, had also weakened over the years. Relatives noted that Veeresh and Preeti rarely visited the village and avoided social gatherings, even skipping family weddings. Their lives seemed to revolve around their studies and work, with little interaction with the outside world.

A SILENT STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH

The tragedy has raised questions about the mental state of the siblings in the days leading up to their deaths. Neighbors reported that the two had become increasingly reclusive, rarely stepping out of their flat. They had no active social media presence, no close friends, and seemingly no one to confide in about their struggles.

Relatives who saw them a month before the incident described them as withdrawn and distant. “They came to the village for two days but didn’t talk much to anyone. They seemed lost in their own world,” said a relative. The isolation and the immense pressure to succeed in the UPSC exams likely created a toxic environment of stress and despair.

NO SUICIDE NOTE, ONLY QUESTIONS

The police, upon searching the flat, did not find any suicide note, leaving many questions unanswered. Was the failure in the UPSC exams the sole reason for their decision? Or was it a culmination of years of loneliness, societal pressure, and unresolved grief? Investigators believe that the siblings had been battling mental health issues for a long time, exacerbated by their recent failure.

Neighbors recalled that the siblings were quiet and reserved, often keeping to themselves. “They never interacted much with anyone. We had no idea they were going through so much,” said one neighbor. The lack of a support system and the stigma surrounding mental health in society likely prevented them from seeking help.

A SILENT EPIDEMIC: THE PRESSURE TO SUCCEED

The story of Veeresh and Preeti is not an isolated one. Every year, thousands of young Indians face immense pressure to succeed in competitive exams like the UPSC, which are seen as gateways to prestigious government jobs. The societal expectations, coupled with personal ambitions, often lead to extreme stress and burnout.

Psychologists warn that the pressure to meet societal standards of success can have devastating effects on mental health. Dr. Meera Sharma, a clinical psychologist, explains, “The UPSC exam is not just a test of knowledge; it’s a test of resilience. The failure rate is high, and many candidates internalize their failure as a personal flaw. Without a strong support system, this can lead to feelings of worthlessness and despair.”

A WAKE-UP CALL FOR SOCIETY

The tragic deaths of Veeresh and Preeti serve as a grim reminder of the silent epidemic of mental health struggles faced by many young people in India. It highlights the urgent need for open conversations about mental health and the importance of seeking help.

If someone had reached out to Veeresh and Preeti, perhaps their story could have had a different ending. A simple conversation, a word of encouragement, or professional counseling might have made all the difference. Their story underscores the importance of checking in on loved ones, especially those who seem to be struggling in silence.

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CONCLUSION: A TRAGEDY THAT MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN

The story of Veeresh and Preeti is one of ambition, loss, and the crushing weight of societal expectations. It is a story that forces us to reflect on the pressures we place on ourselves and others, and the importance of addressing mental health issues before it’s too late.

As the investigation continues, their deaths leave behind a haunting question: How many more lives will be lost before we, as a society, start prioritizing mental well-being over the relentless pursuit of success? Veeresh and Preeti’s story is not just a tragedy; it is a call to action. Let us ensure that their lives — and their untimely deaths — are not forgotten.