Kottayam: T.A. Nandana, 17, a student at the Muvattupuzha Model Vocational Higher Secondary School who was battling for life at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital (MCH) after a suicide attempt, died on Saturday. The end came around 1.10 am. She attempted suicide after the school principal allegedly scolded her while checking her bag during an exam, took her to the office and continued insults before other teachers and staff.
Back home, she doused herself with kerosene and set herself on fire. Police said there was no one else home, and her neighbours took her to a hospital at Thodupuzha. Since the burns were severe, doctors shifted her to the MCH. She had suffered 70 percent burns. The first class judicial magistrate of Ettumanur recorded her statement the other day at the hospital. Her parents in their complaint to the Ernakulam SP maintained that she attempted suicide because of the insult.
The Vazhakulam police registered a case against the principal, Ms Sunitha, based on the statement of the girl to CS Sivakumar, the Vazhakulam sub-inspector. The post mortem was held at the MCH before the body was released to the relatives. The Ernakulam sessions court has directed the police not to arrest the principal till Onam. The funeral was held at her house at Vazhakulam. She leaves her parents Anirudhan and Lekha and sister Nayana. The incident triggered protests, and Congress party members marched to the police station.
