A tragic case of alleged institutional bullying has emerged from Delhi, where a 16-year-old student from St Columba School died by suicide on Tuesday. Shourya Patil reportedly took his own life at Rajendra Place Metro Station, leaving behind allegations of persistent harassment by teachers that continued despite repeated complaints from his parents.
A Year of Alleged Torment and Ignored Complaints
According to Pradeep Patil, Shourya's father, his son had been suffering from what he described as "ill-treatment" by teachers for nearly a year. The teenager had consistently complained to his parents about the situation at school, prompting multiple interventions from his family.
"Whenever we would raise the matter with the school authorities, they would dismiss it by saying that my son needs to focus during classes," Pradeep told NDTV. "They would say that his Math grades are poor and he doesn't like to focus on his studies."
The father expressed frustration at the school's response, noting that while children might get distracted at that age, it didn't justify the teachers' behavior toward his son. When the parents persisted with their complaints, the situation escalated dramatically.
The Final Day: Public Humiliation and Threats
The events of Tuesday, November 18, 2025, proved to be the breaking point for the young student. According to his father's account, Shourya was publicly reprimanded and insulted after falling during a dance practice on stage.
"The teachers removed him from the dance altogether, saying he fell on purpose. They also accused him of doing drama and overacting," Pradeep recounted.
Most disturbingly, one teacher allegedly told the distressed teenager, "cry as much as you want, it doesn't matter to me." The school principal was reportedly present during this incident but did not intervene.
Pradeep also revealed that his son had been threatened by one teacher for four consecutive days with having his parents called to school and potential expulsion. "Another teacher, on one occasion, even pushed my son," he added.
Institutional Failure and Tragic Consequences
The First Information Report confirms that Shourya leaped from Platform 2 of Rajendra Place Metro Station in Central Delhi. A suicide note was recovered from his school bag that reportedly blamed three teachers for his extreme action.
What makes the tragedy even more heartbreaking is the calculated nature of Shourya's final movements. The student, who was usually driven to and from school, deliberately left the campus via the back gate and proceeded to the metro station to end his life.
The case has exposed serious questions about institutional accountability in educational settings. The parents' complaints were not only dismissed but met with threats of issuing a Transfer Certificate (TC) for Shourya, effectively threatening expulsion rather than addressing the core issues.
As investigations continue, this tragic incident highlights the urgent need for better mechanisms to address student complaints and mental health concerns within educational institutions across India.
