Bullying case: Raunak's senior schoolmate detained, let off on bail

Police have detained a class 10 student for bullying his junior schoolmate Raunak Banerjee, 14, and driving him to suicide.

Banerjee, a class 9 student at Baldwin Boys’ High School, had fallen from the 10th floor of an apartment building on June 29, 2016, after his classmate reportedly bullied him in front of other students.

The minor boy was detained after police questioned the school bus driver, other staff and students. He was produced before the juvenile court which sent him to the State Home for Boys. His parents requested the court to grant him bail as he had to take school exams. Accordingly, the court granted him interim bail till July 23. Once the exams get over, the boy will be counselled.

Zeroing in on the suspect was not easy for police. “We asked the school management to question the students but they could not get any result. So, we questioned several people from the school, including students and staff. The bus driver, who used to pick up and drop Raunak, was also questioned. Based on their information, the minor was detained. He used to make fun of Raunak and his appearance and call him names. He had done this repeatedly in front of other students, which disturbed Raunak. He felt humiliated and embarrassed and took the drastic step,” a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.

The case has been transferred to the Child Welfare Committee for further proceedings, the officer added.

On the fateful day, Raunak reached his apartment block by school van, went straight to the 10th floor by lift and jumped to death. A death note was found in his school bag, in which he claimed that he was being bullied by a senior schoolmate.