Corporal punishment: Coimbatore boy commits suicide, blames teachers

COIMBATORE: In a shocking incident, a boy aged 14, studying class 9 committed suicide on Tuesday by consuming cow dung powder alleging harassment by three of his school teachers.

The victim, N. Babu of Periyar Nagar, Vadavalli, was studying at the Kamalnathan Government higher secondary school at Venkitapuram.
In a suicide note recovered by police, Babu claimed that a month ago, science teacher Kandhaiya had beaten his friend in the class room over some reason. Babu asked his friend as to what the problem was. The teacher however mistook Babu.

Even though Babu apologised and pleaded that he did not question him, the teacher refused to accept his explanation and beat him brutally. He also took him to the staff room, where two other teachers Karthick and Gunaseelan also thrashed him. Since then, the science teacher Kandhaiya was punishing the boy for no reason in the class.   

Unable to bear the humiliation and torture, the boy reported the matter to his parents, who raised the issue with the headmaster. “When there was no action, I reported the incident to child helpline 1098, but none helped me out,” he said in his suicide note.  

A depressed Babu finally consumed cow dung powder on Tuesday  around 3 am. His parents rushed him to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), but doctors declared him brought dead.

The parents of the boy sought action against school teachers for abetting the suicide of their son. Meanwhile, Vadavalli police are conducting a probe based on the suicide note.  

“A probe is on to ascertain if the handwriting in the suicide note was that of the boy. On confirmation, action will be taken against the three school teachers, who are now on the run. We are probing to know if the allegations levelled by the boy are true,” said a cop attached to Vadavalli police station.