Director General of Education (DGE) Shanavas. S on Monday (February 3) held a hearing here in connection with the probe into the alleged suicide by a 14-year-old boy on January 15, which his family has since attributed to ragging at his school affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in Kochi.
He reportedly collected the statements of the parents of the victim, the Principal and other officials of the school based on the probe. The authorities of a CBSE school he previously studied were also summoned. The management of both schools has been asked to submit the no-objection certificate (NOC) issued by the department within three days. The DGE is expected to submit a report soon to the Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty.
The hearing was held as the department reportedly sought clarifications from the management on various aspects related to the issue. The Aluva office of the department had submitted a preliminary report after the parents had allegedly blamed the school authorities for the death of their child.
The Kochi City police had initiated an inquiry after the boy’s mother petitioned the Chief Minister and the State Police Chief alleging that ragging at the school had driven her son to take the extreme step.
In her petition, the boy’s mother said that she had informed the school Principal about the alleged brutal ragging providing evidence collected by the family. The deceased, a Class 9 student, was the eldest son of the petitioner and had joined the school in November 2024.
The school authorities said that they had a zero-tolerance policy against bullying and ragging and did not condone or protect any student involved in such behaviour.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case is set to move the court to add charges for abetment of suicide with regard to the case, which was originally registered for unnatural death. Statements of the parties concerned would be recorded before filing a report before the court amending the sections in the coming days.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056, State’s health helpline 104, Maithri – 0484-2540530, Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre – 0495-2760000.)
Published – February 03, 2025 11:52 pm IST