Class 8 student ends his life in Surat, family accuses school of harassment over fees

Sura: A Class 8 student allegedly died by suicide in Gujarat’s Surat city, with her family members claiming that she took the drastic step after she was punished by the school for non-payment of fees on Monday.

A 14-year-old girl hanged herself in her house in Godadara district on Monday evening while her parents were away.

Inspector Harshad Acharya of Godadar police station said the minor had stopped attending school after the January 14 festival in Uttarayan. Her parents failed to pay £15,000 in tuition fees for the academic year ending March 2025.

The girl’s father alleged that the school banned her from taking exams due to unpaid fees and made her stand in front of the classroom.

Police along with the district education department have launched an investigation to verify the claims of the girl’s father, Raju Khatik, that the school’s actions led her to commit suicide.

“We have reviewed the statements of the student’s family members, classmates and neighbors, as well as the school management. We are examining the matter from various angles. “At this stage we cannot say with certainty that she died for the reasons given by her father,” he added.

District education officer HH Rajyaguru said his department has also initiated an investigation and is trying to ascertain whether the girl died due to alleged conduct by the school management over non-payment of fees.

“A team has been sent to the school. Scanning of CCTV footage in the school is in progress. Action will be taken based on the report submitted after the investigation,” he added.