Boy’s suicide: Protesting parents seek teachers’ arrest, say suspension not enough

Tension prevailed outside St Columba’s School here today as a large number of parents, students and local residents staged a protest, demanding arrest of the teachers involved in the harassment of a Class X student, who allegedly died by suicide.

Holding placards and raising slogans, protesters said suspension of the accused teachers was “not enough”. They urged the Delhi Government to initiate stronger action against them.

“This is not just a disciplinary issue. It’s a matter of a child’s safety and dignity. Suspension cannot be the end of it,” said Ritu Sharma, one of the protesters. Another protester said, “Schools are supposed to protect children, not traumatise them. If the administration failed to act for months, they must also be held accountable.”

A parent participating in the demonstration said: “We are here because any child could be the next victim. We want transparency and a proper inquiry.”

Meanwhile, speaking to The Tribune, the child’s father, Pradeep Patil, said his son was subjected to harassment for months.

“The child was being harassed at the school for the past 6-8 months. I complained to the school administration, but no action was taken. They just ignored it, saying my child is mischievous,” he said.

Pradeep said this son wanted to change the school. “I told him that only 10 days are left for his exams, after that in Class 11, we will change his school. We had already discussed it.”

Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the alleged suicide by the Class X student.

The Delhi Government formed a high-level inquiry committee for the St Columba student’s suicide case. It has directed the committee to conduct a “thorough, objective and time-bound inquiry” and submit its report within three days.

On Tuesday, the child went straight from the school to the Rajinder Nagar Metro station where he allegedly jumped from the platform. Bystanders immediately informed the police about the incident. The police recovered his schoolbag from the spot containing a handwritten suicide note.

Cops to quiz teachers named in suicide note

The police are likely to question the teachers named in the suicide note, officials said on Friday. The teachers named in the note include Manu Kalra, coordinator (Class IX, X), Aparajita Pal, headmistress (Class IV to X), Julie Varghese and Yukti Aggarwal Mahajan. They have already been suspended.

“This is to inform you that the school has been made aware of an FIR registered against you. The matter is currently under investigation. In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the competent authority has decided to place you under suspension with immediate effect. You shall remain under suspension till the completion of the investigation and further orders from the competent authority,” read the letter sent to the teachers.

“A case was registered at the Raja Park police station. The teachers, students and other staff members will be called for questioning,” an official said.