Over a year after a 16-year-old student of Army Public School in Delhi died by suicide, the Delhi Police has filed a charge sheet against the school’s former principal and class coordinator, accusing them of abetment to suicide. The charge sheet was recently submitted to the Patiala House Court following a complaint lodged by the student’s father, a serving army havildar.
The tragic incident occurred on February 19, 2024, at the family’s home in Shankar Vihar, southwest Delhi. The boy had returned home from school with his mother around noon, and was later found hanging in his room. His father alleged that the student was denied his Class 10 board exam admit card just two days before the exams, plunging him into deep distress.
According to the charge sheet, the school authorities had demanded ₹10,000 as a fine for damaging school property. The boy had reportedly broken a classroom desk and uploaded a video of the incident on Instagram three days before his death. The same day, the school summoned his mother and allegedly misbehaved with her. The student was informed that his admit card might be withheld unless his father met the principal the following day.
Witness statements cited in the charge sheet—including those of fellow students, teachers, and his tuition teacher—corroborated that the student was extremely anxious about not receiving his admit card. His tuition teacher noted, “He had improved a lot in studies… he was only sad about his admit card. I convinced him it couldn’t be held back, but he was very tense.”
A classmate also confirmed that the student had feared being barred from writing the exam, which he believed would destroy his academic year.
The police have charged the former principal and coordinator under IPC sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 34 (common intention). The two have not been arrested yet, as the court has not taken cognisance of the charge sheet. A hearing is expected on July 17.
In their statements to police, both accused denied any wrongdoing. They claimed that the student was only issued a disciplinary note and that the admit card was to be handed over after a meeting with the father. The principal stated that, according to CBSE guidelines, an admit card cannot be withheld.
The school has declined to comment, citing the ongoing police investigation. The accused coordinator also refused to speak on the matter, calling it sub judice. Efforts to reach the former principal were unsuccessful.
The case sparked protests last year, with family members and supporters demanding accountability from the school authorities. An internal army inquiry was also initiated alongside the police investigation.
