Suicide of 16-year-old Abraham Benson; accused clerk suspended; more details from Sanal and school principal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The clerk accused in the incident of Plus One student hanging himself at the school in Kattakada Kuttichal has been suspended. Clerk J Sanal of Kuttichal Paruthipally Vocational Higher Secondary School has been suspended from service pending investigation. The action was based on the report submitted by the Kollam Regional Assistant Director and the Paruthippally Government VHSS Principal in the incident.

The deceased is Abraham Benson (16), son of Benny George and Sangeetha Benny, natives of Thachancode, Kattakada Kuttichal. The student was found hanging from the upper grill of the window on the staircase of the school building at around 6 am yesterday.

Benson had a practical exam yesterday. Relatives had alleged that the school clerk Sanal was not ready to stamp the seal on the project book to be submitted in this regard and that he had verbally abused Benson. He was thrown out of the office. The students also said that the principal had instructed Benson's parents to come to school. It is believed that Benson committed suicide because he thought that he would not be able to sit for the exam because of this.

Meanwhile, school principal Preetha Babu said that all the students' project books had been signed in advance. School officials also said that Benson had come to affix the office seal on another student's project book. Clerk Sanal said that he only stopped Benson from entering the office room and trying to take the seal and questioned him.