'Maa, I didn't steal...': 13-year-old ends life in West Bengal after public humiliation over stealing chips

In a tragic incident, a 13-year-old boy committed suicide in West Bengal after being publicly humiliated by a local shopkeeper over accusations of theft.

The incident took place in East Midnapore district on Sunday evening.

The deceased, Krishnendu Das, a Class 7 student, left behind a note that read, ‘Maa, I didn’t steal’, before consuming pesticide at his home in Gosainber Bazar.

According to his family, Krishnendu had gone to a local sweet shop to buy snacks, however, the shopkeeper was not around. Seeing a packet of chips outside, he allegedly picked it up and began walking away.

The police said, Subhankar Dikshit, a civic volunteer and the owner of the shop, went after him when he allegedly saw Krishnendu at a distance holding three packets. On being confronted, the boy paid Subhankar Rs 20 for three packets priced at Rs 5. The civic volunteer brought him back to the shop and gave him the change. He then beat him in public, and made Krishnendu do sit-ups while holding his ears.

Upon hearing of the incident, Krishnendu’s mother arrived at the shop and scolded him further. The boy then returned to his home with his mother and bolted the door of his room from inside.

After some time his mother along with neighbours broke open the door and found him frothing from the mouth with a half-empty pesticide bottle and suicide note lying on his side, the officer said.

He was rushed to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital where he allegedly died on Thursday morning.

His body was sent for a post-mortem and then released to the family. Although no formal complaint has been submitted, police have registered a case of unnatural death.