A 12-year-old boy apparently ingested pesticide and died in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district after being condemned for thieving a packet of chips in public and made to do sit-ups for the shopkeeper, news agency PTI reported.
As per the police, the boy was in 7th class and went to Gosaiber Bazar to purchase chips but allegedly found the shop empty. His mother said that he had called out “uncle, I will buy chips,” but nobody replied. He thought nobody was present so he picked a packet and left.
A short time later, shopkeeper Susbhankar Dikshit returned, pursued the boy, and allegedly slapped him and made him do sit-ups in public, a police officer told the family in their complaint.
Then the boy’s mother went to the shop. She slapped and scolded him, too. The boy stated that he told his mother he found the packet outside the store and planned to pay later. The boy even offered to pay immediately and said he was sorry continuously; the shopkeeper allegedly called him a liar.
Following the incident, Krishnendu returned home with his mother, locked himself in his room, and did not respond when called. Eventually, his mother and neighbours broke down the door. They found Krishnendu passed out, foam in his mouth, and a half-empty pesticide bottle next to him.
The Police have commenced an investigation and discovered a suicide note that was written in Bengali. The note seems to be written by the boy, Krishnendu.
In the note, he wrote: “Maa, I am not a thief. I did not steal. Uncle (shopkeeper) was not around as I waited. While returning, I spotted a Kurkure packet lying on the road and picked it up. I love Kurkure,” reported the news agency. “These are my final words before leaving. Please excuse me for this act (consuming pesticide),” the note read.
Krishnendu was taken to Tamluk Hospital and admitted in the ICU but died shortly thereafter. The shopkeeper, also a civic volunteer with Bengal Police for traffic duties, did not admit any of the physical assault. He has been missing since news of the incident broke.
Also Read: Two Wives, Two Nations, One Secret: Haroon’s Espionage Case Stuns Seelampur
