Surya, an eighth standard student at Union Middle School, Neelathanallur, was asked yesterday by Vijayalakshmi, the headmistress, to keep her handbag in her two-wheeler, police said.
When Surya attempted to hang the bag on the vehicle, Rs 500 fell out from it and she put it back in, police said. Suspecting Surya of trying to steal money, Vijayalakshmi scolded her, they added.
Following the incident, Surya attempted to commit suicide by setting herself ablaze with kerosene. She died today.
The 14-year-old stated in her dying declaration that the reason behind her suicide attempt was the scolding given by her headmistress, police said, adding Vijayalakshmi is being questioned over the incident.
A case has been booked against her under sections 506[1] (criminal intimidation), which was altered to 306 IPC (abetment to suicide) after Surya's death, police said.
Published 13 February 2011, 11:46 IST