Rouvanjit suicide: principal, teachers get bail

CNN IBN

Kolkata, 04 October 2010: The principal and four other teachers of the La Martiniere school, who were arrested in the Rouvanjit Rawla suicide case, have been granted bail by a city court here on Monday. The principal and the four teachers were arrested on charges of assaulting Rouvanjit Rawla, who committed suicide in February this year, and have been charged with causing hurt and criminal assault.

 

But the court did not find enough evidence to book them for abetting the 13-year-old’s suicide. Rouvanjit had ended his life a few days after being caned by the school principal. Rouvanjit’s father had filed an FIR against the principal in June. The principal is booked under section 324 (causing hurt) while others are booked under section 323 (causing hurt) and section 352 (criminal assault) in absence of enough evidence to book them under section 305 (abetment of suicide).

 

Police Commissionner Gautam Mohan Chakravorty said: "We had started the case under specific complaint against four teaches of the school. They had abetted the suicide of this boy and on conclusion of our investigation we are going to file a chargesheet today against four of them, the principal and three others. Charges will be both under the Indian Penal Code and as well as the Juvenile Justice Act."

 

 

"We have made an honest investigation and we feel that whatever evidence we have collected, those are strong enough to file chargesheet. We have examined a large number of people, collected documents and after taking legal opinion we are filing the chargesheet today," he added.

 

However, the principal of La Martineer Sunirmal Chakrborty had defended himself in June saying, "I did not use the cane to "hurt" him. I had used two mild strokes of cane. I expressed my sincerest apologies to the board." But Rouvanjit’s father Ajay Rawla had demanded strict action against the erring principal and others, saying an apology was not enough for the death of his son and the school must pay for the crime. He had filed an FIR in June this year.

 

"If they have broken the law of the land, which I think they have, I’m sure that they will have to pay the price for their crime. I definitely think that he (the principal) should be sacked. I thought that for a long time. There was a stage when I went and begged the board of directors and said that as a grieving father I need some closure. So I’m trying to put my life together," he said.

 

"I’m trying to understand why God has done this to us. I’m trying to understand why these people did such horrible things to my life. But as a family I’m begging you with folded hands that if you give us an apology, we will accept that apology and try and move on with our broken lives," Ajay Rawla had told CNN-IBN on an earlier occasion.

Rawla also called the school’s internal investigation report worthless.

 

Chronology of events

Feb 08: Rouvanjit a 13-year-old student caned at school for bunking classes

Feb 12: He commits suicide

June 09: Rouvanjit’s father files a complaint with Police and NCPCR.

June 15: La Martiniere principal apologises for caning Rouvanjit

June 18: NCPCR submits report, principal and three teachers found guilty