A seventh-grade student in Bengal was beaten after being falsely accused of stealing chips. Overwhelmed by the ordeal, he consumed pesticide and died in the hospital. Police are investigating the matter.
Kolkata: A deeply distressing incident has emerged from Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal, shaking the conscience of many. Krishnendu Das, a seventh-grade student, falsely accused of stealing a packet of chips, committed suicide unable to bear the mental anguish and social humiliation. This tragedy has not only devastated his family but also raises serious questions about justice and fairness within the community.
What happened on the day of the incident?
Krishnendu Das went to the market to buy chips on Sunday. The shops were closed, and he couldn't find any. He then picked up a packet of chips lying on the roadside and started to return home. This seemingly insignificant act had dire consequences.
A civic volunteer, Shubhankar, and the shop owner apprehended him, accusing him of theft. Allegedly, they beat him publicly and made him do squats while holding his ears. The child repeatedly insisted on his innocence, claiming he hadn't stolen the chips but had found them on the road.
Unrelenting cruelty and mental stress on the child
Krishnendu even tried to pay the civic volunteer for the chips, but Shubhankar's violence didn't stop. This humiliation and physical assault deeply traumatized the child. When his mother arrived, she took him home.
After returning home, Krishnendu went to his room. He was later found unconscious. Despite being rushed to the hospital, his life could not be saved. Krishnendu had consumed pesticide and ended his life.
What did the suicide note say?
Police found a suicide note in Krishnendu's room that narrates the entire incident. He wrote to his mother, “Mother, I didn’t steal. I picked up the chips from the road.” This note was his final plea for justice and a testament to his innocence.
