Class teacher and Headmistress suspended over student's death row

Palakkad (Kerala): The headmistress and a teacher of Kannadi Higher Secondary School have been suspended for ten days, and the school will remain closed for four days, following massive student protests over the suicide of 14 -year- old Arjun, a Class 9 student.

Arjun, son of Jayakrishnan of Pallanchathanur, was found hanging in his bedroom around 4.30 pm on Tuesday, according to the police. The Kuzhalmannam police registered a case of unnatural death based on a complaint from his parents. As per the FIR, the boy took the extreme step after feeling distressed when his mother questioned him about certain Instagram messages and mentioned shifting him to another school.

Relatives alleged that Arjun had been humiliated by his class teacher, Asha, over the messages exchanged on social media. “We later learned from other students that the teacher told him his actions could lead to a cyber case and even arrest,” a relative said. Classmates supported this claim, saying the teacher had threatened to approach the Cyber Cell. Arjun reportedly told his friends he would not return to school. He was later found dead, still in his school uniform.

Students from various organisations, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and other student, joined the protest demanding strict action against the teacher. They also accused headmistress U Lissy of defending her colleague and prevented her from leaving her office.

Responding to the agitation, school manager K R Kochukrishnan announced the suspension of headmistress U Lissy and class teacher Asha for ten days pending inquiry, following a meeting chaired by DySP S Shamsudeen. Further action will be taken as per government and departmental directives.

The headmistress maintained that the teacher had only warned a group of students, including Arjun, about the misuse of social media and that counselling had been arranged for Arjun and his mother. However, students alleged that Asha had previously beaten Arjun during a blackboard duster fight.

Following the suspensions, students called off their protest. The school management decided to close the institution for four days and implement all measures recommended by the authorities.