Police in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district have added sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to a case against the headmistress of a government school following the suicide of a 16-year-old Dalit student.
The student, identified as P Nishanti, was studying in Class 11. Her family has alleged that she died by suicide after facing caste-based discrimination and humiliating behaviour from the headmistress during the admission process.
The case concerns Vimala Devi, headmistress of the Government Model Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti.
Student allegedly humiliated during admission
According to the family’s complaint, Nishanti went to the school with her mother, P Tawamani, on August 24 to seek admission after leaving her previous school.
The mother allegedly folded her hands before the headmistress while requesting admission. Nishanti reportedly lowered her mother’s hands.
The family alleges that the headmistress became angry and accused the teenager of being arrogant. She also allegedly questioned Nishanti about her character and previous education.
According to her mother, the headmistress asked Nishanti whether she could not fold her hands before her and then allegedly scolded the girl and asked her to leave the school.
After leaving the school, Nishanti reportedly walked for around five kilometres towards Nallamalpatti before her mother found her. Tawamani then brought her home in an autorickshaw.
The teenager reportedly remained silent after returning home and did not eat. Her mother said Nishanti appeared deeply distressed following the incident.
Nishanti died by suicide the following day, on August 25.
Police add SC/ST Act sections
Police initially registered a case of suspicious death. Following the mother’s complaint, the case was later changed to abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police have now expanded the case by adding provisions of the SC/ST Act against Vimala Devi.
Nishanti belonged to the Hindu Paraiyar community, which is listed as a Scheduled Caste. Her mother works as a tailor at a garment factory, while her father, Palanisamy, is a daily wage worker. She was the second of their three children.
The family has alleged that caste discrimination played a role in Nishanti’s death and has held the headmistress responsible.
Headmistress denies caste allegations
Vimala Devi has denied the allegations and rejected claims that caste played a role in the admission dispute.
According to her statement to investigators, there were no seats immediately available for Class 11 when Nishanti and her mother approached the school.
She reportedly told investigators that she needed additional information about the student before taking a decision on admission and had asked the mother and daughter to return the following day.
The School Education Department has also conducted an inquiry into the incident. Its report has been submitted to the District Magistrate, while further departmental proceedings are reportedly underway.
