Headmaster commits suicide after molestation charges

Headmaster commits suicide after molestation charges

Headmaster of a local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-run school, Vivekananda Sishu Mandir(VSM) at Jagatballavpur’s Ankurhati, committed suicide.

Sujit Banerjee(44) hanged himself in a bamboo grove near his home at Shankarhati on Monday morning. In his suicide note, Banerjee mentioned the names of some members of the school’s managing committee, who had allegedly been harassing him for unearthing a Rs 19lakh fraud.

Banerjee was known for his honesty and dedication. “He would visit the homes of children to spread awareness on hygiene, use of clean drinking water and treatment of snake bite,” said Subal Halui, a local.

As the news spread, nearly 3,000 locals gathered on the road and blocked it. They fought pitched battles with the police. When the Howrah SP Gaurav Sharmaintervened, the locals demanded immediate arrest of the accused. The mob also ransacked a few shops owned by members of the managing committee.

“He was a rationalist. Despite being told to preach Hindutva to students, he insisted that he would teach Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna’s preachings. He also told the managing committee that he would teach students relevant portions of the Koran too,” said Jyotsna Sarkar, a teacher of the school.

Apparently, no audit was conducted in the school till Banerjee insisted on one. “The audit revealed misappropriation of Rs 19 lakh and he demanded an explanation from the managing committee. On November 4, he threatened to take the matter up with top RSS leaders. Later that day, a woman teacher from the school lodged a molestation complaint against him,” Sarkar added.

Matters came to a head on November 8 when Banerjee openly criticized demonetization. Members of the managing committee demanded his resignation and exerted pressure on the police to act against him for molesting the teacher.

“There was clearly differences between Banerjee and members of the committee. We shall charge those mentioned in the suicide note for abetment to suicide. They are all absconding. We shall also find out if the molestation complaint was motivated,” the SP said.