The probe into the suicide of 16-year-old Class 10 student Shourya Patil has now been taken over by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, officials confirmed on Friday.
Shourya, a student of St. Columba’s School, died by suicide at the Rajendra Place metro station in November. His death follows serious allegations by his family that he was repeatedly humiliated and mistreated by teachers over minor issues, including his behavior in class.
The transfer of the case to the Crime Branch comes a day after Shourya’s father, Pradeep Patil, met with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta along with Members of Parliament to urge a swift and thorough investigation. An FIR has been registered on the father’s complaint under charges of abetment to suicide.
According to the FIR, classmates told police that in the days before his death, Shourya was allegedly threatened with the issuance of a Transfer Certificate and was even pushed by a teacher. The note found in his school bag names several teaching staff and accuses them of mistreatment.
Shourya’s suicide note also expressed his last wish that action be taken against those he believed responsible, stating he did not want “any other child to face the same pain.” The note reportedly included a request that his organs be donated if possible.
Earlier, the investigation was being led by the Raja Garden Metro Police under DCP Kushal Pal Singh. Police had questioned four school staff members named in the note, including the headmistress, all of whom have denied the allegations.
