BENGALURU: The bereaved father of 14-year-old Raunak Banerjee, who ended his life after being bullied by a senior, has advocated more stringent laws against minors in conflict with the law.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Raunak’s father Chandrajoy Banerjee said, “The police have initiated action against the boy who bullied my son. I don’t have any personal grudge against him. Let the law take its own course. But he and his parents should be properly counseled so that he will not continue with the same attitude.”
He said that there are so many incidents in the country where minors have got away even after committing heinous crimes. “Decision-makers should work towards bringing in a stringent law even in cases that involve minors.”
Meanwhile, the 15-year-old boy in conflict with law was released on bail after the J. P. Nagar police had initiated action against him. The police had considered the suicide note left by Raunak as dying declaration and took action against the boy.
Bullied boy’s father bats for strict law against minors
“I have been told by the police that the boy who bullied my son has been detained. I have faith in the system and let the law take its own course. The boy and also his parents should be counselled,” said Mr Chandrajoy Banerjee, the father of 14-year-old Raunak Banerjee, who leapt to his death after being bullied by a senior in the school van while returning home on June 29.
Mr Banerjee told Deccan Chronicle that two deaths in the family in a span of a week had devastated the family. “Just a week after my son took the extreme step, my ailing mother too passed away. She had health problems and it deteriorated after my son’s death. The police have informed me about the action taken but I don’t know much about the boy who was detained. He was taking the same vehicle with my son for the last two years.”
Stressing the need for stricter laws to deal with crimes involving minors, he said, “I would have agreed if some 2nd or 3rd standard student had passed comments at my son. But a 10th grade student will definitely be aware of what he is speaking and doing. There are so many incidents in the country where minors have got away even after committing heinous crimes. The decision-makers should work towards bringing a stringent law even in cases that involve minors,” he said.
“My son was mentally strong. I don’t think he took the hasty step just because someone passed comments on his physical appearance. I think there is more to it. Let the law take its own course. I do not have any personal grudge against the boy,” he said.
Boy released
The 15-year-old boy who was detained by the J. P. Nagar police was released after he was granted bail. The police said that the boy is studying in 10th grade in Baldwin Boys’ High School, where Raunak Banerjee was studying.
The police said that they zeroed in on the boy on the basis of statements made by other students who had witnessed the incident. “We had questioned the students who traveled in the same van in which Raunak returned home. Everyone pointed towards the same boy, who bullied Raunak. The van driver too admitted that Raunak had complained about the boy on several occasions.
