Principal arrested for abetting girl student to end her life

Sivakasi Town police on Wednesday arrested the principal of a private Arts and Science college here on charges of abetting the suicide of a girl student of the college on January 20. However, a magistrate court enlarged the principal C. Ashok on bail.

The police have also booked another staff of the college on a similar charge. They said the principal had summoned the girl student and her mother to the college on January 20 and reprimanded the student for having posted her picture along with a youth on social media and made her submit an apology for the same.

The girl felt shamed by his action and took the extreme decision to end her life, the same day, they said.

Her college mates were up in arms against the college authorities and charged that their mishandling of the issue had taken the life of the student.

The duo were booked under Section 108 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A further probe is under way.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050 and Speak2Us helpline at 9375493754.)