Zirakpur, March 24 – Moulik Verma (16), a Class 11 student at Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, Chandigarh, died by suicide on March 22 at his Shantikunj Society residence in Zirakpur. His family refused to cremate his body today, demanding the registration of an FIR against those responsible. The protest escalated, prompting SP (Rural) Manpreet Singh to intervene, but the family remained firm and took the body back home. The cremation is now expected on Tuesday as senior officials deliberate over the FIR.
Allegations Against Cyber Cell and School Authorities
Moulik’s mother, Ritu Verma, a single parent, has blamed the Chandigarh Cyber Cell police for her son’s death. She alleged that ASI Gurdev Singh called Moulik in for questioning despite her request to accompany him. Three other students were also summoned in a four-month-old case where students had allegedly created memes about their teachers on Instagram. Though they had deleted the account after receiving a warning, the school administration continued to harass them.
On March 22, Moulik was allegedly taken to the Cyber Cell in Sector 17 without his mother’s knowledge, where he and other students were physically assaulted and threatened. After returning home, he locked himself in his room and hanged himself from the ceiling fan. His family members broke the window, rushed him to JP Hospital in Zirakpur, but doctors declared him dead. The body was later kept at Derabassi Hospital for postmortem.
Ritu Verma is demanding strict action against the school authorities and Cyber Cell officials, holding them responsible for her son’s death. Along with other parents, she submitted a formal complaint to the Zirakpur police and plans to escalate the matter to SSP Chandigarh and DC Chandigarh.
Police Investigation and Next Steps
Zirakpur police have confirmed finding a suicide note, though it does not name anyone. They maintain that since the incident is linked to Chandigarh, the investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the Chandigarh Police and Education Department. Meanwhile, the postmortem was conducted today, and the body handed over to the family. The family is awaiting an FIR before proceeding with the cremation.
The case has raised serious questions about police handling of minors, alleged harassment in schools, and mental health awareness.
