A 16-year-old student, Aarav Mishra, the grandnephew of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, died by suicide at his residence in Kanpur’s Kohna area on Sunday evening.
Police said the Class 11 student left behind a note claiming he was being haunted by “spirits” that pressured him to either harm his family or take his own life.
At the time of the incident, Aarav’s parents, Alok and Divya Mishra, were in Bhagalpur for Chhath Puja, while his sister was at college. Aarav was at home with his grandmother.
When she went to call him for dinner, the door to his room was locked from inside. After neighbours helped break it open, Aarav was found hanging from a ceiling fan. Police were immediately informed.
Kohna Station House Officer Vinay Tiwari confirmed that a handwritten note was recovered from the scene. “The note refers to harassment by what he described as ‘spirits’. The case is being treated as suicide. Further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances,” Tiwari said.
According to family members, Aarav had previously told his sister that he could see unknown figures urging him to kill his family or himself.
The family reportedly believed it to be stress-related and did not seek help at the time.
Police are examining Aarav’s phone, laptop and online activity to determine if any external influence or content played a role in the incident. Mental health professionals are being consulted to assess his possible psychological condition.
Senior BJP leaders visited the Mishra residence on Monday to express condolences.
Aarav’s father, Alok Mishra, is a businessman from Kanpur and nephew of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
