A 17-year-old student in Amritsar, Punjab, died by suicide on Tuesday following alleged public humiliation by school officials over unpaid tuition fees. The student, identified as Amjot Kaur, was a Class 12 student at a local private school.
Incident Details Emerge
According to her parents, Amjot Kaur faced severe harassment. This included being made to stand outside her classroom and being barred from attending exams due to outstanding fees. The family states they pleaded with the school for more time to clear the balance of approximately ₹20,000 .
Before her death, Kaur recorded a video from a hospital bed. In the recording, she detailed the mental anguish caused by the alleged public embarrassment.
Legal Action Taken
Following public outcry and the retrieval of Kaur's statement, police registered a First Information Report (FIR). The FIR names the school principal and management members. They face charges under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code for abetment to suicide.
The Punjab Education Minister has vowed strict punishment. Arrests have reportedly been made in connection with the case.
Broader Implications
This tragic incident has reignited debate. Discussions now focus on the operational boundaries for private schools. School board guidelines are central to these ongoing conversations.
