Jaipur Class 4 girl begged teacher for help 5 times before her death: Inquiry report

A nine-year-old student of Neerja Modi School in Jaipur allegedly died by suicide on November 1, after enduring 18 months of bullying, according to a Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) report.

These are among the conclusions arrived at by a two-member team of the CBSE that is probing the suicide. Her parents alleged that she was bullied, teased and verbally abused with "sexual connotations" and that repeated complaints were unaddressed by the school authorities, reports NDTV.

The report revealed that the student repeatedly sought help from her class teacher, Puneeta Sharma, including five pleas on the day of her death, but her concerns were dismissed. Instead of support, the teacher reportedly shouted at her, shocking the entire class.

CCTV footage on the day showed the student appeared cheerful and engaged in normal activities before 11 am. Later, she became visibly upset by the inappropriate content written on a digital slate by classmates.

Despite her efforts to stop or remove it, no intervention from teachers occurred. Distressed and feeling cornered, she left her ground-floor classroom, climbed to the fourth floor, and jumped, dying instantly.

The CBSE report also detailed previous instances of bullying, including verbal harassment, misquoting of her words and physical incidents, which went largely unaddressed by the school.

Attempts by her parents to transfer her to another school were unsuccessful.

The investigation highlighted safety lapses on campus, including absence of floor attendants, lack of CCTV monitoring, students not wearing ID cards, and no protective nets on higher floors. The report criticised the school for failing to maintain a safe environment and for the teacher’s lack of empathy and action, which contributed to her death.

The CBSE has sought an explanation from the school within 30 days and may impose penalties under safety regulations and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.