PANSKURA: A Class 7 student from Panskura died by suicide, leaving behind a note that read, “Mom, I didn’t steal.” The incident occurred in East Midnapore, West Bengal.According to locals, on Sunday afternoon Krishnendu Das (13), a student at Bakulda High School, was accused of stealing three packets of chips from a sweet shop owned by civic volunteer Subhankar Dikshit in Gosainber market.Locals claimed that Krishnendu took the packets when the shop owner was not around. Subhankar went after him when he saw Krishnendu at a distance with the chips.On being confronted, the boy paid Subhankar Rs 20 for three packets each priced at Rs 5. The civic volunteer brought him back to the shop and gave him the change.Subhankar then allegedly thrashed Krishnendu and made him apologise publicly. Later, the boy’s mother took him back to the shop and scolded him.On returning home, Krishnendu attempted to kill himself. He was rushed to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital where he died on Thursday. The family alleges that the shopkeeper’s treatment had driven him to suicide. The civic volunteer has since gone missing. The family also believe that public admonition by his mother deeply affected him.Following a post-mortem, authorities released his body to the family. Police sources confirmed that while no official complaint had been lodged, a case of unnatural death had been registered. Authorities have stated they will launch a thorough investigation should a formal complaint be filed.
