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Police have invoked the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the headmistress of a government school in Madurai district. The action follows the suicide of a 16-year-old Dalit student after an alleged confrontation with her.
The headmistress, Vimala Devi of the Government Model Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti, was initially booked for abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have now altered the FIR to include provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as part of the investigation.
The case relates to the death of P Nishanthi, a Class 11 student from Thottappanayakkanur near Usilampatti. Nishanthi and her mother, P Thavamani, had approached the Usilampatti government school on August 24 seeking admission after she decided to leave another school.
According to Thavamani’s complaint, the interaction with Vimala Devi became distressing after she folded her hands before the headmistress while requesting that her daughter be admitted. Nishanthi reportedly tapped her mother’s folded hands, asking her to lower them.
The headmistress allegedly reacted angrily to the gesture and accused Nishanthi of being arrogant. Thavamani also alleged that Vimala Devi questioned her daughter’s conduct and asked about her ‘character’ while attempting to enquire about her previous schooling.
According to her account, Vimala Devi then allegedly asked Nishanthi, “Can’t you fold your hands in front of me? Are you that arrogant?” The headmistress allegedly continued berating the teenager and told her, “Get out. Leave the school.”
Nishanthi left the school and walked for around five kilometres towards Nallamalpatti before her mother found her. Thavamani brought her home in an autorickshaw, but said her daughter remained deeply upset after the incident.
“When we got home, she lay down. I asked her to eat, but she refused. I don’t know whether she slept properly that night. She was emotionally exhausted,” Thavamani had said.
Nishanthi died by suicide the following day, August 25.
Nishanthi belonged to the Hindu Paraiyar community, which is classified as a Scheduled Caste. Her mother works as a tailor in a garments factory, while her father, Palaniswamy, is a daily wage labourer. She was the second of their three children.
The family has alleged that the treatment meted out to Nishanthi was casteist and held the headmistress responsible for her death. Vimala Devi, however, has denied the allegations, including the claim that she made casteist remarks.
Police had initially registered a case of suspicious death before booking Vimala Devi for abetment of suicide based on Thavamani’s complaint. At the time, the police said the investigation would determine whether provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were applicable.
Vimala Devi had also reportedly told investigators that the school did not immediately have a Class 11 seat available and that she needed to make enquiries about Nishanthi before taking a decision on her admission. She claimed that she had asked the mother and daughter to return the following day.
The School Education Department had separately conducted an inquiry into the incident and submitted a report to the District Collector. Further departmental investigation was also underway.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.
