Headmistress among four St Columbas staffers suspended in student suicide case

new delhi: four staff members, including the headmistress of st columba's school, have been suspended after an fir was registered against them in connection with the alleged suicide of a class 10 student who had accused them of mental harassment.a senior delhi education department official said a committee has been formed to probe the allegations and review the school's handling of the case. it has been asked to submit its report within three days.the suspension order states that the headmistress (classes 4-10), the coordinator for classes 9 and 10, and two teachers have been placed under temporary suspension while the matter is examined.the student's father told pti that the suspension is “only temporary” and demanded the arrest of the teachers named in the fir, saying no teacher should treat children in such a manner.the education department said it has constituted a high-level inquiry committee of senior officers to ascertain the factual circumstances and administrative accountability related to the november 18 incident. the committee will conduct a “thorough, objective and time-bound inquiry” and submit a report with findings and recommendations within three days.the suspension order issued to each staff member states that they will remain suspended until the inquiry is completed and further directions are issued. they have been instructed to remain available for communication, avoid visiting the school premises and not interact with students, staff or parents without written permission.the class 10 student, who had reportedly dreamt of becoming “the next shah rukh khan”, died on tuesday after allegedly jumping from the rajendra place metro station around 2.34 pm. he was taken to blk super speciality hospital, where he was declared dead.a senior police officer said the boy left a suicide note naming teachers, alleging mental harassment, apologising to his family and requesting organ donation. the fir, registered at rajendra nagar police station, includes charges of abetment of suicide. police are recording statements of classmates, teachers and school authorities.