POLICE have talked to the SMK Methodist Nibong Tebal teacher who accused a student of stealing her iPhone 6 last Wednesday. 

Southern Seberang Prai district police chief Superintendent Abdul Shafee Abdul Samad said the teacher’s statement was recorded. 

“Her smartphone still has not been found,” he said today. 

The case has become a national issue after the student accused of stealing the mobile phone attempted suicide. 

The Form Two girl, M. Vasanthapiriya, 13, tried to hang herself in her bedroom after her denials were ignored. 

She was found alive, but in a coma, by her parents. 

She died this morning at the Seberang Jaya Hospital intensive care unit. Her family is now calling for justice. 

Shafee said police began investigating the suicide attempt under Section 309 of the Penal Code, after the teenager’s uncle reported the incident. 

“On January 24, at about 11pm, the report on the girl trying to kill herself by hanging was lodged. She was first taken to the Sungai Bakap Hospital and later transferred to the Seberang Jaya Hospital for further treatment,” he said. 

“An investigation paper was opened. The investigation was done by the police after receiving information from the hospital. 

“The investigation paper has been referred to the deputy public prosecutor.” 

It was reported the teacher had been transferred out of the school to a desk job at the district’s education office. 

The state Education Department’s deputy director Mohd Jamil Mohamed said in a statement earlier today the department had left the investigation to the police to find the cause of the incident, and to take “action without compromise”.

The initial internal probe by the department, he said, has been completed and handed over to the education ministry. 

When contacted, Deputy Education Minister I P. Kamalanathan said the ministry would cooperate fully with the police in getting to the bottom of the case. 

“We view this with upmost priority and want justice done without fear or favour,” he said in a text message.

“The tragic loss of life is something that haunts me. For someone so young to take such a dramatic step and end her life is heart breaking. 

“I would like to offer my heartfelt condolence to (Vasanthapiriya’s father) Muniandy and his family for this unimaginable tragedy.” 

Deputy Education Minister II Chong Sin Woon said he also could not comment on the case and what action the ministry would take, as he has yet to receive a detailed report on the incident. – February 1, 2018.