A class IX boy from the ICSE board-affiliated Podar International School in Nerul, Navi Mumbai jumped off from the canteen on the fifth floor on Friday morning. The 14 year old boy who stayed near the school, had entered the school at around 6.30 am. “He went directly to the second floor to his class, kept the bag and went to the fifth floor from where he jumped. The cctv footage from canteen shows that the boy had climbed on to the parapet at the canteen and then to the railing before jumping off. The canteen opens at 7.30 am and hence there was no staff there. The incident happened by around 6.40 am,” senior police inspector Tukaram Pawale from NRI Coastal police station said.
The morning shift of ICSE board starts at 6.50 am and when the incident happened, children were still entering the school and some of them saw him falling. The boy was immediately taken to Apollo hospital wherein he succumbed to his injuries. The hospital then informed the police. The body was then taken to Vashi Municipal Hospital for further procedures.
According to police, the reason behind the extreme step by the boy is not known as he did not leave any note behind. Prima facie, the police have ruled out any foul play and an Accidental Death Report (ADR) has been registered.
“There was no pressure from the school or any other issue of bullying. The child is known to be very quiet boy who doesn’t talk much,” one of the parents of the school said. In his social media handle, the boy has described himself as ‘depressed dude’. The boy has a younger sibling in class III in the same school.
After the incident was reported, holiday was declared for the second shift of the school for primary students. When contacted the school via email, they responded saying, “Tragic Loss. The school is deeply shocked and saddened on hearing about the tragic incident..... One school student lost his life through suicide. The school is deeply appalled at the tragic loss of life and prays to God to give courage to the family of the victim. All support is being provided to the police authorities in their investigation of this matter. The School students will be counselled through this difficult period and the school will extend all support to the family during this difficult time.”
“We are yet to record the statement of his friends and family as they all are in the state of shock,” SrPI Pawale said.
