“Suicidal Thoughts, Teacher Bullying”: Key Revelations in Delhi Teen’s Suicide Case

In the recent Delhi teen suicide case, a Class 10 student from a well-known Delhi school died by suicide on Tuesday afternoon.

Before taking this extreme step, he left a note where he accused teachers and the headmistress of harassing him. 

While examining the incident, police recovered the handwritten note and have identified the accused teachers who are responsible for his death. 

According to what has been written in the suicide note, the teachers mistreated him continuously.

After this incident, the teachers and the headmistress were booked under sections 107 (abetment to suicide) and 3(5) (common intention of criminal act) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita. 

On Thursday, they were all suspended from the school with immediate effect.

Chaired by Joint Director Harshit Jain, a five-member committee formed by the Directorate of Education under the Delhi government was established to examine Delhi school student suicide. 

Within three days, the committee will submit its report.

Revelations in Delhi Teen Suicide Case

Below are some of the revelations in the case of the Delhi teen suicide. 

Targeted harassment

Based on what the student's family members and friends had said about the suicide incident, the boy faced 'Targeted Harassment' by the teaching staff, which later forced him to take the extreme step. 

According to an officer, he talked with many students and had recorded their statements. 

Investigations are underway to gather more information with the help of CCTV footage from the school and the metro station.

Shared His Thoughts With The Counsellor

The father of the deceased Delhi school student said that his friends informed him about the boy's discussion with the school counsellor about his thoughts.

He even shared this with his friends, but not with his family. 

Furthermore, the student's uncle also revealed that after not getting a positive response from the counsellor, he shared suicidal thoughts with his friends.

Faced constant bullying by teachers, says classmates

The classmate of a 16-year-old boy mentioned the one-and-a-half-page note in his bag, which revealed the repeated bullying by the teachers. 

He even shared his problem with the counsellor and was about to file a formal complaint with the school headmistress. 

But he did not confirm whether the victim had spoken to him directly on this matter. The boy's father did say that his son talked to him about the bullying treatment in school. 

To which he advised that they would change his school after the 10th board exams. But his condition was serious as he was threatened with expulsion constantly.

Called parents for petty issues

Parents of the other students also alleged that the school called them for trivial issues such as spilt water in the class. 

One of the students also revealed that teachers used abusive language openly and dismissed students. 

The deceased father also added that three months ago, the school called him for a minor issue about his boy being talkative. 

He even responded to their baseless complaint as kids of his age do, and requested the teachers not to pressure his child over marks, as they are okay with his scores.

Helped a woman at the metro station, per CCTV footage

According to the boy's uncle, before ending his life, the student guided a woman in the metro station, according to CCTV footage. 

In the video, he puts the bag down and walks towards a woman on the platform. 

After helping her, he went ahead and spoke with the guard, then jumped off when he briefly looked away.

FAQs

Q: Why do small students take that drastic measure?

A: Small students are sensitive to taking such extreme measures. They do this with the feeling of helplessness and are unable to express the pain they are going through. Bullying, strict punishment, and no emotional support affect their mental health. Getting no help or guidance from anyone, they think it is right to end their life to escape distress. 

Q: What were the main reasons for Delhi teen suicide?

A: The Delhi teen suicide faced bullying and mistreatment from the teachers multiple times. He even spoke to a school counsellor and shared his problems with friends and family.

Q: How should teachers treat the students?

A: Teachers are role models for students as they shape their future. But the recent incident of the Delhi school suicide raises questions about them. Teachers must treat every student equally and should show empathy and patience for them. They must create a safe environment for them where they can be heard and motivated. Scolding, humiliating and threatening will only drive them to mental trauma and maximum suicide, like in the current case.

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