Thaindian News

Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) The principal and three teachers of Kolkata’s prestigious La Martiniere for Boys school were arrested Monday in connection with the suicide of Class 8 student Rouvanjit Rowla after he was caned and mentally harassed earlier this year. A court later granted them bail.

School principal Sunirmal Chakroborty and three teachers — Gunian, Partho Dutta and David Ryan — were arrested Monday morning, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Damayanti Sen said.

They were brought before Metropolitan Magistrate Ravi Ranjan Chakraborty, who granted them bail on a personal bond of Rs.500 each.

“All the four were granted bail by the court,” said the lawyer representing the teachers.

The 175-year-old school landed itself into a controversy and became the focus of nationwide debate when Rouvanjit hanged himself Feb 12, days after he was caned by the principal and mentally harassed by the three teachers.

Rouvanjit’s father Ajay Rowla later filed a police complaint against the principal and other teachers involved in his son’s caning and mental harassment.

“I am waiting to see what happens next. I want justice,” Ajay Rowla told IANS Monday.

The principal had apologized for caning Rouvanjit and the school authorities had banned corporal punishment.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had recommended the dismissal of the principal and vice-principal and stopping of increments of the three teachers following Rouvanjit’s suicide.

After the incident triggered a raging controversy, the West Bengal government announced that it would form an authority where students and their parents can express their grievances about schools and teachers.