Palakkad student suicide: Family says teacher ignored warning, targeted boy despite issue being settled

Palakkad: A Class 9 student from a government school in Palakkad died by suicide on Tuesday, days after a dispute involving Instagram chats among students was reportedly settled by parents.

The family has alleged that the student, Arjun, was subjected to repeated humiliation and physical assault by his class teacher.

Arjun, the son of Jayakrishnan and Manjusha from Pollappadam, Mathur, was found hanging at home on Tuesday evening. His mother discovered him after returning from work, and he was declared dead upon arrival at Thangam Hospital.

Relatives said the issue began when a parent found that students, including Arjun, had used inappropriate language in Instagram messages. “We went to the school and agreed with teachers not to escalate it, as the children had realised their mistake,” said Arjun’s uncle Mahesh.

However, Mahesh alleged that the teacher later publicly insulted Arjun and beat him in the staffroom, threatening to file a cybercrime case and fine him ₹25,000. Classmates reportedly told the family that the teacher’s conduct deeply upset Arjun.

The family also claimed that six months ago, Arjun had been beaten by the same teacher after a classroom incident, leaving red marks on his back. “His father had gone to the school then and requested that teachers not use violence,” Mahesh said.

Local residents and student organisations staged protests outside the school on Thursday, demanding justice. Following the outrage, the school’s headmistress and the accused teacher were relieved of their duties pending an investigation.

While the family alleges mental and physical harassment, the school administration maintains that the teacher only warned Arjun for inappropriate online behaviour. Kannadi vice president and former PTA president K. T. Udayakumar said several parents had complained about the messages, arguing that teachers were not at fault.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and a separate complaint alleging harassment has also been filed by the family. Arjun’s funeral was held on Wednesday after his father returned from the UAE.

According to relatives, Arjun appeared calm the evening before his death and told his family he would focus on his studies. “He said he wouldn’t let the teasing or beatings affect him,” Mahesh recalled. However, the next evening, Arjun was found hanging in his room.

Neighbour and former panchayat member Ismail alleged that the accused teacher had been admitted to hospital “to avoid arrest” and that her husband, an advocate, was attempting to shield her. “The school is trying to protect the staff involved,” he claimed.

The school’s principal, however, denied all allegations, saying the teacher had merely scolded Arjun to correct his behaviour. “The matter is being exaggerated. Arjun tended to isolate himself whenever problems arose at home,” she said.

Authorities said a joint decision to suspend the teacher and headmistress was made at a meeting attended by the school management, the Assistant Education Officer, and the District Educational Officer. The investigation is ongoing.