Class 10 girl dies by suicide, father files plaint against school for harassment and abetment

Noida: A Class 10 student died by suicide early on Dec 23, allegedly hours after she was pulled up by her teachers and principal at a private Greater Noida West school for using AI on her mobile phone to write her pre-Board exam papers. The girl's father has submitted a police complaint on Thursday seeking an FIR be filed against the school management, the principal and two teachers, accusing them of abetment to suicide and mental harassment. While police are examining allegations before registering an FIR, the principal has told TOI that the student, though reprimanded, was not harassed and told that cheating in the board exam could earn her a five-year suspension from writing the test.According to the minor's father, the 16-year-old allegedly jumped from her eight-floor flat early on Dec 23. He alleged that his daughter was deeply distressed after she was scolded and humiliated by teachers for bringing her phone to the exam hall on Dec 22.In his complaint, the father said he has three daughters, all of whom study at the same school. He alleged that his eldest daughter had "unknowingly" carried her mobile phone to school on the day of the exam. She was caught by the invigilator, who reprimanded her and informed her class teacher. The student was then taken to the principal.The principal called the girl's parents to the school, and her father arrived shortly afterwards. He alleged that even in his presence, the teachers and principal continued to scold and insult the student aggressively. He also claimed that he was called "careless" by the teachers.The father claimed his daughter was shaken by the incident and that the harsh words used by her teachers had a severe psychological impact. He named the child's class teacher, Poonam Dubey, another teacher, Taapas, and the school management in his complaint, accusing them of pushing his daughter towards taking an extreme step.He has urged police to register a case under BNS Section 108 (abetment of suicide), and other relevant provisions. He claimed the incident had left his other two daughters traumatised and fearful of returning to the school.The school has strongly denied the allegations. The principal told TOI over the phone that the student was not harassed and that the school followed standard protocol prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education. "The girl was found with a mobile phone during the pre-board examinations. When the invigilator checked the device, it appeared that she had been using AI to get answers. The phone was confiscated, and she was brought to the examination head, who then brought her to me," the principal said.She said she had informed the student that using such methods during the CBSE board examinations could lead to a ban of up to five years from appearing in the exams. "That is the rule, and the child was only told about the consequences," she said. According to the principal, the student's parents were informed immediately and reached the school within 10 to 15 minutes, as they lived nearby. She said the interaction took place at the reception area and was brief."The class teacher only told the parents to take care of the child and explained that cheating was wrong. There was no shouting or harassment. The child did not cry or show signs of distress at the time," the principal said, adding the school had CCTV footage of the entire episode and had handed it over to the police. "We have nothing to hide," she said. "We understand the family's grief and share their sorrow, but the allegation that the school harassed the child is not correct."She also said the student had recently participated in a dance performance during the school's annual day, which was encouraged to help students manage academic pressure. Police said they are verifying statements from the family, school authorities and other witnesses, and reviewing available evidence, including CCTV footage, as part of the investigation.