Class 8 student hangs himself after exam expulsion

16-year-old Class VIII student, hanged himself at his residence in Konra town of Barhi on Saturday afternoon allegedly after he was expelled by his school authorities for cheating in exams.

Police said Mohammad Rehan, a student of Royal Orchid International School, was writing his Class VII final examination and was caught cheating by the invigilator. He was brought before the principal, Anup Singh, who expelled him and another student for malpractice.

Rehan's father Mohammad Retaz, an auto-rickshaw driver, claimed that his son was diligent and did not cheat. He said, "My son was humiliated in front of all the students due to which he committed suicide by hanging himself from the fan at home." Retaz filed an FIR at the Barhi police station against the school management and the principal for inciting suicide.

Barhi SDPO Barhi Nazir Akhtar said, "Konra residents have demanded the immediate arrest of the principal and the teacher who allegedly caught the student cheating. They have not allowed us to send the body for post-mortem. We are investigating the incident and action will be taken if necessary." Foul play detected. We didn't go to the school to talk to the authorities because it was Sunday."

Singh said, "The school administration was not responsible for the death as they expelled Rehan and Gagan Kumar for cheating in the exam. Any school would have taken such a step. But we are sorry for the family's loss."