No Evidence of Abetment or Instigation: MP High Court Quashes FIR Against School Authorities in Student Suicide Case
In a significant ruling, the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, presided over by Justice Anand Pathak, has quashed the FIR and subsequent proceedings against the school authorities of Vivekanand School in the case involving the suicide of a student. The judgment, delivered on January 24, 2024, in the Misc. Criminal Case No. 10745 of 2023, underlined the absence of evidence for abetment or instigation by the school authorities in the student’s tragic decision to end his life.
The case, titled Virendra Singh Rana & Ors. V. State of Madhya Pradesh & Anr., revolved around the FIR lodged against the school’s principal and other staff, accusing them of abetting the suicide of a student following disciplinary action. The court observed, “In the present case, allegations against the petitioners are that they scolded and reprimanded the deceased in such a manner where he committed suicide. As per CCTV footage…it is obvious that Principal must have reprimanded them for their conduct and had to initiate all possible steps for course correction.”
The court delved deeply into the sociological aspect of social control in educational institutions, discussing various informal social controls such as shaming, praising, and gossiping. Justice Pathak noted, “children are required to be tutored not only to be good in academics but they ought to be tutored to become a good citizen so that they may add to the assets of the society rather than becoming liability.”
Significantly, the court exercised its jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. to prevent the abuse of process and miscarriage of justice, citing the Supreme Court’s guidelines in State of Haryana v. Ch. Bhajan Lal & Ors., AIR 1992 SC 604. The FIR at Crime No.371/2022 and all consequential proceedings were quashed, discharging the petitioners from all allegations.
Date of Decision: 24th January 2024
VIRENDRA SINGH RANA & ORS. VS STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH & ANR.
