Kerala: 15 Y/O student dies by suicide over alleged bullying, ragging; investigation on
Ernakulam: In a shocking incident, a 15-year-old student, Mihir Ahammed, took his own life on January 15 after facing continuous ragging, bullying, and racial abuse at his school in Kerala’s Ernakulam district.
According to an India Today report, Mihir jumped from the 26th floor of his apartment building in Thrippunithura on January 15th. He was pursuing his studies at Global Public School (GPS) in Thiruvaniyoor, Ernakulam,
Mihir’s mother, Rajna PM, took to social media to reveal the shocking details of the abuse her son faced. She alleged that Mihir was subjected to brutal ragging, physical assault, and racial discrimination by a group of students at school and on the school bus.
In her social media post, she described how Mihir was forced to lick toilet seats, had his head shoved into a toilet while it was flushed, and was subjected to other forms of humiliation. “These acts of cruelty broke him in ways we cannot fathom,” she wrote.
Rajna revealed that she came to know about the incident after having conversations with Mihir’s friends and schoolmates, as well as a check of his social media messages.
Additionally, she shared screenshots of chat messages in which some of the alleged perpetrators celebrated Mihir’s death, with one message reading, “fk nigga he actually died.” She also revealed that Mihir was targeted because of his skin color, and even after his death, the accused continued to mock him.
Mihir’s family has filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Hill Palace Police Station in Thrippunithura and also submitted a detailed petition to the Chief Minister’s Office and the Director General of Police (DGP), seeking an immediate and impartial investigation.
In the meantime, Rajna expressed concerns that delays in collecting digital evidence could allow the culprits to erase the evidence. She also alleged that an Instagram page titled “Justice For Mihir,” created by his friends after his death, was taken down under pressure from the school to “suppress the truth.”
Responding to the allegations, Global Public School (GPS) issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident and denying any knowledge of ragging or bullying on its premises. The school emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and ragging but stated that it could not take action without proper evidence.
The statement further read, “we remain vigilant in safeguarding every child’s mental and physical well-being.”
The school also revealed that its officials, including the Head of GPS International, the Dean & Principal, and the Exam Officer, visited Mihir’s home on the day of the incident to express their condolences.
The school authorities stated that they cooperated with the police investigation by providing screenshots of social media conversations shared by the family and calling in teachers, parents, and students named in the posts for clarification. However, due to the ongoing investigation into the unnatural death, the school stated it could not divulge further details publicly.
Furthermore, in her petition, Rajna alleged that she had informed the school principal about the ragging incidents and that she had also provided evidence, but the school authorities had failed to take necessary action. She accused the school of attempting to conceal the incident in order to protect its reputation.
Rajna also emphasized the need for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future. “Mihir’s death must not be in vain. No other child should suffer like he did,” she said.
According to reports, Ernakulam District Child Welfare Council vice-chairman, Arun Kumar, stated that he would meet with the investigation officer and school authorities to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a suo-motu case over Mihir’s death, and the Kochi City police have launched an inquiry based on the family’s petition. The Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner has been assigned with the investigation, and the Hill Palace police have already registered a case of unnatural death.
The case has sparked outrage across social media platforms.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
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Delhi court acquits Swati Maliwal accused of revealing rape victim's name
New Delhi (PTI): A Delhi court on Thursday acquitted AAP MP Swati Maliwal accused of allegedly disclosing the identity of a 14-year-old rape victim who succumbed to injuries.
Additional chief judicial magistrate Neha Mittal acquitted Maliwal.
A detailed order is awaited.
Delhi Police booked Maliwal in 2016 when she was the chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women, and said there was a blatant violation of provisions of Juvenile Justice Act, which protect the identity of a minor victim of sexual offence.
The minor girl succumbed to her injuries on July 23, 2016, at a hospital after being sexually assaulted by her neighbour who allegedly forced a corrosive substance down her throat and damaged her internal organs.
The police said Maliwal circulated a notice she sent to the area deputy commissioner of police, in which she sought to know about the investigation in the case.
The notice, which was given to the print and electronic media, reportedly named the victim.
The FIR alleged the notice was "intentionally circulated" on various WhatsApp groups and shown by TV channels.
