Kolkata:
A Kolkata court has decided that the principal who caned Rouvanjit Rawla at his school in Kolkata stands accused of driving the 13-year-old to suicide. Three other teachers have also been charged with abetment of suicide.
Sunirmal Chakraborty had been charged with deliberately injuring the child, who killed himself in February, four days after Chakraborty caned him for allegedly bringing stink bombs to class.
The tragedy, at one of Kolkata's most prestigious schools, has triggered a national debate on corporal punishment. (
Read: Indian government bans corporal punishment in schools)
In June, Rouvan's father, Ajay Rawla, filed a police case accusing Chakraborty and three other teachers of mentally and physically torturing his son for several months. He said today, "There are comments on Fcebook by other children too saying they were beaten (in the same school). We have to end this."
Earlier this year, the principal admitted to caning the teenager and said he was not aware that caning was illegal. (
Watch the interview)
Chakraborty was arrested on October 4 and was immediately granted bail. (
Read: La Martiniere principal, teachers get bail)
The court today said his bail has not been cancelled.
Lawyers for La Martiniere say they will challenge the abetment of suicide charges in the Kolkata High Court.