A new eyewitness account has shed light on the emotional breakdown of a Class 10 student from Delhi’s St. Columba’s School just minutes before he died by suicide after jumping from the Rajendra Place Metro Station on November 18. The revelations have intensified public outrage, sparked protests by parents and students, and added further weight to allegations of harassment against four teachers who have since been suspended pending inquiry.
The 16-year-old student, who was returning home from school, reportedly displayed visible panic, agitation, and despair during his final journey in an e-rickshaw with other students and an accompanying parent. His emotional collapse unfolded shortly before the fatal incident, offering a disturbing glimpse into his mental state and the pressures he allegedly faced.
A Witness Recalls the Last Ride
Speaking about the incident, Deepshika, a 45-year-old homemaker, described the teenager as visibly trembling and desperate when he entered the e-rickshaw outside school around 2:15 pm. Seated with her son, a Class 8 student, and another pupil, she recounted how the Class 10 boy urged the driver to rush toward the Metro station and then broke down uncontrollably.
According to her testimony, the boy repeatedly mentioned teachers who he claimed were “torturing” him, pressuring him over minor issues, and insisting repeatedly that his parents be summoned to the school. His father, according to his statements, worked out of state, making school visits difficult.
Deepshika said she attempted to comfort him, encouraging him to stay calm and assuring him that not all teachers behaved that way. Before she got off near Gole Market, she handed him a ten-rupee note for the remainder of his ride. He thanked her — the last words she would hear him speak.
Within roughly 30 minutes, at around 2:45 pm, he jumped from the station platform to the street below.
Suspensions and FIR Deepen Scrutiny
Following the death, the student’s father lodged a complaint alleging that the boy had been mentally harassed by four teachers and the headmaster. The school administration placed the accused staff members under suspension and barred them from contacting students, parents, or colleagues during the investigation.
The Delhi government has ordered a high-level inquiry, and police have recorded statements from classmates, school counselors, and now, eyewitness passengers.
Protests and Anger Outside School
Parents and students gathered outside St. Columba’s in the days following the tragedy, holding placards and demanding accountability, transparency, and mental health safeguards. Many students claimed academic pressure, humiliation, and punitive discipline were commonplace.
Some parents alleged that the school prioritised reputation management over student welfare. Others called for structural reforms, including:
- mandatory psychological support
- anti-bullying monitoring
- grievance reporting mechanisms
- review of disciplinary protocols
The death has catalysed a wider conversation about the emotional toll of academic systems, particularly for board-exam students.
A Pattern of Distress and Missed Signals
The suicide note recovered earlier had referenced emotional pain, pressure from teachers, and feelings of helplessness. The witness account now corroborates the student’s repeated claims of ongoing distress.
Child psychologists warn that signs of emotional collapse — panic, crying, verbalised fear, hopeless language — must never be dismissed. They stress that punitive schooling culture can amplify risk factors.
Mental health advocates argue that:
- fear-based discipline
- humiliation as corrective measure
- academic comparison
- institutional silence
can push vulnerable teens into crisis.
Investigation Expands
Authorities are now examining:
- classroom behaviour reports
- disciplinary records
- teacher conduct logs
- CCTV footage
- peer testimonies
- school-counsellor documentation
Officials say the inquiry will determine whether criminal culpability, negligence, or policy violations contributed to the boy’s death.
