A 14-year-old Class 8 student in Surat allegedly died by suicide, with her family claiming she was harassed by her school over unpaid fees, police said on Wednesday.

The girl, a resident of Godadara locality, hanged herself at home on Monday evening while her parents were away. She had stopped attending school after January 14, following the Uttarayan festival, reportedly due to non-payment of ₹15,000 in fees for the academic year ending March 2025, said inspector Harshad Acharya of Godadara police station.

Her father alleged that the school denied her entry to exams and humiliated her by making her stand outside her classroom as punishment for the unpaid fees. According to him, this led to her mental distress, ultimately pushing her to take the extreme step.

The tragic incident has sparked an investigation by both the police and the district education department. “We are recording statements from her family, classmates, neighbors, and the school management. At this stage, we cannot confirm the exact cause or conclude that her death was solely due to the reasons claimed by her father,” Inspector Acharya said.

District Education Officer H.H. Rajyaguru said his department is also looking into the allegations. “We have sent a team to the school to gather evidence, including CCTV footage, and ascertain the truth behind the claims. Action will be taken based on the report submitted after a thorough inquiry,” he added.

The incident has raised concerns over the treatment of students in schools, particularly those from financially constrained backgrounds. Child rights activists have called for stricter measures to ensure no child is subject to humiliation or harassment over fees.

This case has reignited a broader debate on mental health support for students and the accountability of schools in such incidents. Meanwhile, the girl’s family and local residents are seeking justice, urging authorities to take swift action against those responsible.

Source: PTI

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