Kolkata school student attempts suicide after teacher’s rebuke

KOLKATA - A Class 12 student of an English-medium school here attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills after being allegedly abused by a teacher, police said Tuesday.

Sargil Khan, a student of St Helen School, consumed sleeping pills inside the school bathroom Monday during school hours alleging mental torture by a teacher of the school.

Sargil survived the suicide attempt, but a note found in his bag stated that a teacher used to mentally torture him.

According to his parents, Sargil was subjected to mental harassment by the school’s Hindi teacher.

“The Hindi teacher used to mentally torture Sargil. So he tried to commit suicide by taking sleeping pills. But now he is well and under doctor’s supervision. But we want stern action against the teacher who harassed my son,” Sargil’s mother told IANS over phone.

A police complaint has been filed against the teacher by the boy’s family.

The principal has refused to comment on the matter, but hinted that he would stand firmly behind the teacher.

“Yesterday (Monday) I was in the school but at that time I didn’t receive any complaint. And as far as my knowledge goes, nobody has rebuked any student. Today (Tuesday) from a specific news channel I came to know about the incident. Everybody has the right to complain, but only an investigation will bring out the truth,” said S.C. Singh, the principal.

Earlier this year, a Class 8 student of La Martiniere for Boys school committed suicide after he was allegedly caned and rebuked by the principal.