Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Depressed student fell to death from John Lewis first floor balcony in front of parents

HEARTBROKEN parents of a Birmingham medical student revealed on Tuesday (2) how she fell to her death from a John Lewis balcony in front of them.

Hannah Bharaj, 20, died from “catastrophic injuries” after the fall on July 12 last year, an inquest heard.


The medical student’s life reportedly began to fall apart after the death of two close family members. At the time of her death, Hanna was a residential patient at a nearby Priory psychiatric hospital seeking help for eating disorder and other serious mental health issues.

Giving evidence, Sarah and Harminder, Hannah’s parents, said they were visiting the first floor café in John Lewis when their daughter decided to end her life.

Sarah said: “We went to the Priory to pick Hannah up at about 6.15pm. We would tend to go to the upstairs cafe in John Lewis because it stayed open later.

"Hannah had a book with her, I had a crossword.

"We all had a drink. Then Hannah said she wanted another drink, but she said she fancied a mocha, which was very unusual because of the calories. I gave her £5 and she got up and something fell out of her book.

"It was a card addressed to mum and dad. That made me concerned. She went off to get a drink and when I looked up she didn’t go left to the drinks bit, she went right.

"I think I knew she was walking towards the balcony. I said ‘Harni, look at the balcony’. I knew then. He leapt up and ran after her. She walked briskly, it was very measured.

"She stood on a chair then a table then I just saw her legs go down the glass.”

The fall was a "deliberate" attempt to take her own life, said Sarah.

Her father told the Stockport hearing: "I think her stress was related to her own aspirations and her high standards." Hannah would get depressed if she did not meet her target, her parents said.

The hearing was told that the death of Hannah’s grandfather had taken a toll on the young adult.

Hannah was diagnosed with depression during her second year at university and she and admitted to Oak Trees eating disorder unit. There, she was diagnosed with severe anorexia, and despite support, her weight continued to fall.

Her depression escalated to the point where she became suicidal and all she could talk was ending her life.

Dr Jessica Morgan, a consultant psychiatrist at the NHS trust which runs Oak Trees, told the inquest Hannah suffered from “at least two severe mental illnesses” and “acute grief”.

Although Hanna showed signs of improvement after six months in the unit, and was allowed to return home, her condition deteriorated after the death of a second family member.

Shortly after Hannah attempted to commit suicide by taking an overdose of her prescribed medication.

She was admitted to an acute psychiatric ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital, and because of a lack of NHS beds, she was transferred to the Priory.

The hearing is expected to last five days.

More For You

​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex. (Photo: Getty Images)

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less