A Sonari youth slit his wrist on Wednesday after his parents chided him for not having a job.

Prakash Kumar (21) is battling for life at MGM Medical College and Hospital. A doctor said the incision was deep and there had been heavy blood loss. “The young man is critical,” he added.

Police are yet to record a statement based on which a case can be registered.

Relatives said the boy was a matriculate and could not pursue further studies because the family’s financial condition was poor. “Initially, Prakash did odd jobs like electrical repairing, but soon became addicted to ganja and stopped working. His parents scolded him often,” said one.

Around 9am, father Manohar Lal once again caught Prakash idling away and told him off. “The boy locked himself up in his room. Half an hour later, he opened the door bleeding. He had slit his left wrist with a blade,” said the relative.

Prakash was rushed to MGM around 10.30am. A hospital attendant said he was begging for death.

ASI of Sonari police station Ramakant Ojha said they had visited MGM for a statement, but the youth was not in a state to speak. “From the nature of injuries, we believe he tried to commit suicide by slitting his wrist. We will register a case of attempted suicide against him once we record his statement,” Ojha added.