The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (Kerala Child Rights Commission) has taken suo motu cognisance of the tragic suicide of a 15-year-old schoolboy, allegedly due to ragging..The boy, a class 9 student, at the Global Public School, Ernakulam was found dead on January 15. His family alleged that he took his life after enduring relentless bullying and ragging at his school.Speaking to Bar & Bench, Kerala Child Rights Commission's Chairman, KV Manoj Kumar, confirmed that a suo motu case has been initiated."A suo motu case has been registered and notices have been issued to the Kochi District Police Chief and concerned Station House Officer asking for reports. Notice has also been issued to the Principal of the School and the District Child Protection Officer".According to reports, the Kochi City police had already launched an inquiry into the matter after the boy's mother petitioned the Chief Minister and the State Police Chief, alleging that ragging at the school led to her son's death.The petition was subsequently forwarded to District Police Chief (Kochi City) Putta Vimaladitya, with the Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner tasked with the investigation.Meanwhile, the Hill Palace police has registered a case of unnatural death, and the probe is ongoing..According to the complaint by the boy's mother, she had informed the school principal about the ragging her son faced and had submitted evidence collected by the family.However, she claimed that the school authorities, instead of taking action, merely forwarded the complaint to the police while allegedly attempting to suppress the incident to protect the school's reputation.According to his friends and social media messages retrieved by the family, he was reportedly subjected to bullying both within the school premises and on the school bus.The petition detailed that he was allegedly harassed, physically assaulted and ragged by fellow students.
