A teenage boy jumped to his death from the 10th floor of his apartment in JP Nagar in Bengaluru, soon after returning from school on Wednesday.
Police suspect that 14-year-old Raunak Banerjee, took the extreme step because he was being bullied by his peers, reported The Times of India.
A suicide note reportedly left behind by him read:
“It's bullying and it has been happening and it is intolerable. Those who I considered my friends have betrayed me.”
Raunak’s parents, Chandrajoy and Rumi Banerjee, told TOI that he was probably bullied by a student either on the bus back home or at school during a session of Mock United Nations, which was his last class.
Raunak, who studied in Baldwin Boys’ High School on Hosur Road, travelled to school by a private school bus.
CCTV footage from the apartment reportedly showed that Raunak, who lived on the first floor, went to the 10th floor directly after getting off the bus. He left his bag near the lift, before jumping to his death. His mother was informed by neighbours who found his body.
Chandrajoy is urging the school management to take the case seriously.
“They must have hurt him too much which made him take the extreme step. He must have been hurt so deeply. It should not be treated lightly. A strong message must go out so that no parent goes through what we are going through,” the bereaved father was quoted as saying.
He also said that none of Raunak’s friends or their parents had contacted them after hearing of Raunak’s death.
A complaint of abetment of suicide was filed at the JP Nagar police station.
On a Facebook Messenger group, of which Raunak was a member, another member reportedly posted a message saying: “I thought it was joke. Don't call his parents and disturb. I am removing everyone from this group.”
Dinakar Wilson, Principal of Baldwin Boys' High School said that if it is proved that a student was bullying Raunak, then the school will take stringent action.