Palakkad (Kerala): Students of Kannadi Higher Secondary School on Thursday staged a protest demanding action against a teacher following the suicide of a Class 9 boy.

Arjun (14), son of Jayakrishnan of Pallanchathanur, was found hanging in his bedroom around 4.30 pm on Tuesday, police said. Kuzhalmannam police have registered a case of unnatural death based on a complaint by the parents.

According to the FIR, Arjun took the extreme step after feeling depressed when his mother questioned him over messages sent via Instagram and mentioned the possibility of transferring him to another school. Relatives alleged that a teacher had warned him about sending messages on social media. “We later came to know from other students that a teacher told him his actions could invite a cyber case and that he might be arrested,” a relative said.

Students affiliated with Kerala Students Union (KSU), Students Federation of India (SFI), and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) joined the protest on the school premises, demanding action against the teacher. The protesters also prevented the headmistress from leaving her office.

“The parents have found that Arjun was sending messages to other children. The teacher only cautioned a group of students, including Arjun, about the misuse of social media. There were also issues within the family,” the headmistress told reporters. She added that the school had arranged a counselling session for Arjun and his mother to address parenting and behavioural concerns.