Kollam: Teachers at the Trinity Lyceum in Kollam involved in the death of tenth grader Gauri Neha have celebrated their return cutting the cake at the school. The family said they were deeply hurt at the ‘celebrations’ and the management reinstating them within three months. They also felt the police investigation moved at a snail’s pace, and the action council seeking justice for Gauri warned of an indefinite hunger strike.
Demanding another agency like the CBI to probe, her father R. Prasanna Kumar said the celebrations in the presence of the principal challenged the collective conscience. "We suspect attempt to sabotage investigation and destruction of evidence including the CCTV visuals. The management is conspiring to protect the culprits,” he said. Gauri Neha jumped off the second floor of the school on October 20, 2017, and succumbed to her injuries in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram three days later.
“Their colleagues rejoiced by sharing sweets inside a classroom and not all teachers were present," principal S. John told DC. "They got a temporary stay, and further action will be taken based on the court order.” The teachers Sindhu Paul and Crescence Navis, accused of abetting the suicide, surrendered after nearly a month in the District Magistrate Court which directed them to be present before investigative officer on all Saturdays.
Kollam West police, which booked them for abetment of suicide under IPC and for torturing the girl under Juvenile Justice Act, said they were seeking expert opinion from a panel of doctors. Her father says mental torture by her sister’s class teacher provoked her to take the extreme step. The 8th grader in the same school was allegedly made to sit with boys as a punishment, which she questioned.
