New Delhi: Just thirty minutes before a Class 10 student of St. Columba’s School tragically ended his life at a Delhi Metro station, he shared a harrowing e-rickshaw ride with a fellow parent, breaking down over alleged harassment by school faculty.
Deepshika, a 45-year-old homemaker, has emerged as a key witness to the 16-year-old boy’s final state of mind. On November 18, at approximately 2:15 PM, she was sharing an e-rickshaw with her son—a Class 8 student at the same institution—when the senior student boarded the vehicle outside the school premises at Ashok Place.
According to her account, the teenager was visibly trembling and in a state of high agitation. He frantically urged the driver to speed up toward the RK Ashram Metro Station before bursting into tears.
A Chilling Warning
Deepshika recounted the distressing interaction to the press. When she attempted to comfort the boy and asked why he was crying, his response was stark. He reportedly warned her to withdraw her own child from the institution.
“He told me I should strike my child’s name from the school roll, claiming he made a huge mistake by taking admission there,” Deepshika recalled.
The boy then opened up about his distress, alleging that he was being “tortured” by his teachers. With his board exams only ten days away, he claimed the faculty had been harassing him throughout the academic year. A specific point of contention was the school’s insistence on summoning his parents for minor infractions, despite his pleas that his father, a businessman, worked out of state.
“He asked through his tears if his parents should do their jobs or just keep coming to the school,” Deepshika said. The student went on to name four specific teachers responsible for his distress.
The Final Interaction
Deepshika attempted to console the teenager, reminding him that there were many other teachers at the school and that he only had two years left to complete his education. However, when her own son asked the boy about the specific teachers, the 16-year-old began to cry even louder.
The witness, who has lived in Delhi for nearly two decades, had to disembark at Gole Market, a few stops before the boy’s destination. Noticing he had no money for the fare, she handed him a Rs 10 note. He thanked her softly—the last interaction he would have before the tragedy.
Approximately 30 minutes later, at 2:45 PM, the student allegedly jumped from the platform at the Rajendra Place Metro Station.
Administrative Action Taken
Reflecting on the incident, Deepshika expressed deep regret, stating that had she known the extent of his despair, she would have stopped the vehicle and contacted his parents immediately.
Following the suicide, the boy’s father filed a police complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR. In response to the allegations and the tragedy, the school administration suspended four teachers on Thursday pending an investigation.
Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately from local emergency services or suicide prevention helplines.
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