Kolkata: A 12-year-old boy died by suicide by consuming pesticides at his home. The incident was reported from West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district. The boy was reportedly accused of “stealing” a chips packet by a shopkeeper and later even assaulted by him, which led him to take the extreme step.
Class 7 student lifted chips packet from shop, was abused
Police said that the Class 7 student, Krishendu Das lifted a packet of chips from a shop in Gosaiber bazar in the Panskura area. The boy reportedly did not find the shopkeeper, Subhankar Dikshit at the shop when he went to buy chips. The boy did call out to the shopkeeper, “Uncle, I will buy chips”, claimed his mother. However, upon not getting a response, he picked up the chips packet and left.
The police said that soon after the school boy left the shop, the shopkeeper, Dikshit returned. He chased Das and caught him. Not only did he accuse him of stealing and beat him up, but he also made the boy do sit ups in full public view.
The family claimed that the boy’s mother was summoned to the shop and upon reaching, she was told that her son was stealing a packet of chips. She also reacted angrily and slapped the boy. This despite the fact that the boy repeatedly claimed that he had found the chips lying in a heap on the ground, in front of the shop and would have come back to pay for it. The shopkeeper however was in no mood to listen, and accused Das of lying.
Boy returned home with mother, bolted room door
The boy then came back home with his mother, sulking. He went to his room and bolted the door from inside.
When the boy did not open the door for a long time, his mother along with their neighbours, broke open the door. She found her son frothing from the mouth and a half-empty pesticide bottle lay nearby.
Though the boy was rushed to a nearby hospital immediately, he died. The boy left behind a suicide note, which read, “Maa I am not a thief. I did not steal. Uncle (shopkeeper) was not around as I waited. While returning I spotted a kurkure packet lying on the road and picked it up. I love Kurkure.”
He also apologised to his mother for consuming pesticide in his suicide note.
The shopkeeper initially claimed that he did not assault the child. Later as anger grew regarding the incident and locals gathered outside his store, he fled the place. The shop remains closed and the shopkeeper is absconding. The shopkeeper also works as a civic volunteer with the Bengal Police.
