What Happened To Kochi Teen, Died After Alleged Bullying By Peers At School?
Ernakulam, Kerala: A massive outcry erupted on social media after the mother of a 15-year-old boy, Mihir Ahammed who allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the 26th floor of an apartment in Tripunithura, claimed her son went through constant ragging and bullying at his school, forcing him to take the extreme step.
The incident occurred on January 15 as Mihir, the victim, fell from the 26th floor of his apartment, Choice Paradise, after returning from his school, Global Public School, in the afternoon.
The mother of the victim, Rajna P. M., in a widely shared social media post, alleged that the peer students subjected Mihir to extreme and brutal harassment and bullying both in school and on the school bus. According to the letter, her son was frequently mocked by fellow students over his skin colour, pushing him into extreme mental agony and distress.
The mother claimed she has evidence, including screenshots of chats and testimonies from other students that peers forced Mihir to vape and lick the toilet at schools, and even made him head down in the bowl while flushing the toilet. The word nigga, an extremely offensive word for a Black person, was also hurled at the victim, as per the social media chats.
The mother, expressing her shock at the ‘criminal behaviours’ of the accused even after Mihir’s death, shared screenshots of chats, showing some students celebrating the victim’s death on social media. She pointed out that even on the day Mihir took his life, he went through bullying, claiming she has evidence proving her allegations.
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Rajina also criticised the school authority, stating that they behaved as if they had no responsibility, other than informing the police, of the issue when they were informed of the incident. “They are only concerned about their reputation,” she said, adding that they should show minimum commitment to avoid such incidents happening to other students in the school.
Noting that she has one more thing to add, the mother said that her son faced harassment from the vice principal of GEMS School Kochi, where Mihir had earlier studied. She has approached the Child Welfare Commission seeking an inquiry into allegations regarding vice principal of GEMS institution.
Notably, an Instagram group called ‘Justice for Mihir,’ created by his classmates aiming to uncover the truth, was forced to be deleted, which the mother suspects was due to pressure from the school management. The management reportedly intimidated students in an attempt to save the reputation of the institution.
When Timeline contacted, the school declined to comment, saying that they had forwarded all the information to the police.
The mother said that she wrote the letter hoping that the media and public will stand by her to get justice even though there are efforts to suppress truths. She said apart from filing a complaint at the police station, she has written to the DGP and Kerala Chief Minister in in-depth details regarding the case, demanding that all the accused behind her son’s death should be brought before justice and given fitting punishment.
Rajina has filed a complaint at Tripunithura Hill Palace station, on which an FIR has been registered into the unnatural death of the teenager. The 15-year-old victim was declared dead upon arrival to the hospital, as per the FIR, and the case was registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) based on a complaint filed by Robin Jose and Jose Mathew, the owners of the apartment.
The police have confirmed receiving the complaint and recorded the mother’s statement. The petition has been forwarded to Kochi City District Police Chief Putta Vimaladitya, and Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police has been entrusted to probe the case. A report by The New Indian Express quoted Inspector Ananda Babu saying that statements of the accused students need to be recorded, but due to their ongoing examinations, they could not proceed with it. He added that strict action would be taken if the allegations were proven right, while noting that the police are also examining why the mother chose to speak out only now, around two weeks after the incident.
Mihir had joined the Global Public School Thiruvaniyoor just three months ago, as per a report by South First, quoting his mother, and it was only after his death that the family spoke to some of his friends and classmates, revealing the disturbing reality behind his death. Mihir’s mother, in her letter, also pointed out she and her husband learned about the horrific bullying their son suffered only after talking to classmates and seeing social media conversations.
A probe is going on into the circumstances that led to Mihir’s death. The school has provided details to the police, and the officials are to take statements from Mihir’s classmates, teachers, and family members. State Education Minister has ordered comprehensive investigation into the alleged ragging by a group of gang towards the victim. Timeline has contacted the Tripunithura Hill Palace Police Station, and we will update the copy as soon as the police respond.
Many have started campaign, demanding justice to Mihir. Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu took to Instagram echoing the mother’s concerns. The actor wrote that she was ‘absolutely shattered’ by the news and hoped that bullying would be taken as a serious offence, noting that many are going through it.
(If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here is the helpline number of suicide-prevention organisation that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.)
