12-yr-old boy jumps to death after scolding, teacher held

A 12-year-old student of a private school in Navi Mumbai allegedly committed suicide by jumping from his fourth-floor classroom after being scolded by his science teacher, police said on Wednesday.

The boy, identified as Gaurav Kank, plunged to his death from the window of the classroom at New Horizon Public School in New Panvel area on Tuesday around 10.30 am.

The minor, who was found in a pool of blood on the ground, was rushed to a nearby private hospital where he was declared dead.

"The science teacher, Saumya Manoharan, was arrested last (Tuesday) night under Indian Penal Code sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 304 A (causing death by negligence)," Deputy Police Commissioner Sanjay Singh Yenpure said.

According to police, Saumya had asked the boy a question, to which he responded in a rude manner. Feeling humiliated by the boy's alleged personal remarks on her, the teacher chided him. The boy was subsequently also taken to his class teacher who warned him not to repeat the behaviour.

"Following the episode, the Std VI student went back to his classroom. After a while, the recess was announced. Gaurav then jumped from a partially grilled window of the classroom," Yenpure said.

Several students of his class reportedly saw him plunging.

Gaurav used to stay at Khanda colony with his parents, who run a small electrical appliances store in the area.