Teen accused of phone theft had self-harm record

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 12 Feb 2018 9:09AM · 3 Comments

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan says M. Vasanthapiriya, who attempted suicide after phone theft accusations and died a week after, had a history if self-harm. – YouTube pic, February 12, 2018.

THE teenager who died after a suicide attempt stemming from an accusation of stealing her teacher’s phone had slit her wrists two years ago, theSun daily reported.

Based on a counsellor’s report which had the signatures of a family member and two teachers, M. Vasanthapiriya’s family was told to seek medical help for the student but they did not do so.

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan said he was informed that the student had slit her wrists in 2016.

He also confirmed the report had been sent to the police for investigation.

“On the state education department’s report, we are not able to share it because of police investigations.

“The only mistake the teacher made was sending the student from the school to a friend’s house, which was not her job,” Kamalanathan told the local daily.

Asked if the teachers involved will be moved to another school due to death threats, he said the ministry will go through the final police report before taking the next course of action.

Vasanthapiriya, a student in Nibong Tebal SMK Methodist, was accused of stealing her teacher’s iPhone at school on January 24.

It was reported that she was questioned for hours in a counseling room by three teachers, including the teacher whose phone was stolen.

She was then taken home by the teacher concerned as well as the teacher’s husband.

On February 1, Vasanthapiriya, died after a seven-day coma following an attempt to hang herself.

However, Vasanthapiriya’s father, R. Muniandy, denied claims that his daughter had mental health problems as well as a record of self-harm.

“My child was a normal kid and as a parent I would have known if she was facing any mental health issues,” he said. – February 12, 2018.

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Comments

  • The honourable minister is trying to exonerate the teacher "The only mistake the teacher made was sending the student from the school to a friend's house, which was not her job,"
    i think we have to clarify "The only mistake the teacher made was sending the student from the school to a friend's house, which was not her job," Why send to a friends house and not her parents?

    Was it interrogation and unlawful detention "It was reported that she was questioned for hours in a counseling room by three teachers, including the teacher whose phone was stolen"

    Posted 6 years ago by Satkunabalan K Sabaratnam · Reply

  • It's look like there are "Horse Trading" going on.
    At best price, it is a nett win.

    Posted 6 years ago by Jay Jay · Reply

  • The one with a mental problem is Kamanalathan. EVEN if the report is true, which sounds iffy, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. If the teachers knew she had a problem, ALL THE MORE REASON SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO BADLY TREATED. With leaders like Kamanalathan, the Indians do not need enemies..

    Posted 6 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply