BERHAMPUR: A 26-year-old tuition teacher was arrested on Friday on charges of abetting the suicide of a minor student who ended her life few days back.
The accused has been identified as S Sanatan Reddy of Kandeswar village in Digapahandi area of Ganjam. Another tuition teacher, 26-year-old K Loknath Reddy, who was also allegedly involved in physically assaulting the girl, is on the run.
As per police, the minor girl consumed poison on June 8 in a bid to end life. She died the next day. The matter, however, came to light when her brother Loknath, on examining her phone and personal belonging etc., learnt that she was alleged being exploited by the two tuition teachers on fake promises.
He then lodged a complaint against the two in this connection. As per the complaint filed by Loknath, his sister joined the tuition classes a year back. He alleged that Sanatan exploited her sexually on the promise of marrying her while Loknath had physical relationship with her multiple times on the pretext of helping her secure more marks in the exams. In the meantime, both of them took her intimate photos too.
“However, when my sister eventually came to know about their ill intentions, she rejected their advances. The two then started threatening to post her private pictures, videos and personal details on social media. Distressed by their repeated threats and concerned about the family’s reputation, my sister died by suicide by consuming poison,” Loknath stated in his complaint. He alleged that Sanatan even confessed to having relationship with her on the pretext of marriage.
Basing on the complaint, police registered a case and arrested Sanatan. “The girl’s diary, notebooks, mobile phone have been seized. Efforts are underway to nab the other accused,” said sub-inspector Sofia Mishra, adding, the accused was produced in court and remanded in judicial custody.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)