Class 10 student dies by suicide in Greater Noida after alleged scolding over AI use in pre-board exam

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• Class 10 student died by suicide after being scolded for using AI in exam
• Father filed police complaint, alleging abetment to suicide by school staff
• School denies harassment, says protocol was followed after phone was found

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A class 10 student died by suicide on December 23, allegedly just hours after being scolded by her teacher at a private school in Greater Noida West. The teacher reprimanded her for using AI on her phone to write her pre-board exam papers, according to a report by the Times of India.

The girl's father filed a police complaint on Thursday, seeking an FIR against the school, accusing it of abetment to suicide. The police are currently examining the allegations before proceeding with the registration of an FIR.

The principal of the school stated that while the student was reprimanded, she was not harassed and was informed that cheating during the board exam could lead to a five-year suspension from taking the test.

According to the father, the 16-year-old girl jumped from her eight-floor apartment early on December 23. He claimed that she felt deeply distressed after being scolded and humiliated by the teachers for bringing her phone into the exam hall on December 22.

In his complaint, the father noted that he has three daughters, all of whom attend the same school. He alleged that his eldest daughter had "unknowingly" brought her mobile phone to school on exam day. After being caught by the invigilator, she was reprimanded and taken to the principal.

The principal called the girl's parents to the school, and her father arrived shortly afterwards. He claimed that even in his presence, the teachers and principal continued to scold and insult the student aggressively. He also alleged that he was labelled as "careless" by the teachers.

The father stated that the incident shook his daughter, and the harsh words from her teachers had a severe psychological impact on her. He mentioned the class teacher, Poonam Dubey, another teacher named Taapas, and the school management in his complaint, accusing them of contributing to his daughter's tragic decision.

He has requested that the police register a case under BNS Section 108 (abetment of suicide) and other relevant provisions. He claimed that the incident had left his other two daughters traumatised and fearful of returning to the school.

The school has firmly denied the allegations. The principal told ToI that the student was not harassed and that the school followed the standard protocol set by the Central Board of Secondary Education.

"The girl was found with a mobile phone during the pre-board examinations. When the invigilator checked the device, it appeared that she had been using AI to obtain answers. The phone was confiscated, and she was brought to the examination head, who then brought her to me," the principal explained.

She added that she informed the student about the consequences of using such methods during the CBSE board exams, which could result in a ban of up to five years from taking the exams. "That is the rule, and the child was only made aware of the consequences," she said.

According to the principal, the student's parents were informed immediately and arrived at the school within 10 to 15 minutes, as they lived nearby. She mentioned that the interaction at the school took place briefly in the reception area.