Following the tragic death of a 14-year-old schoolboy in Kochi, Kerala, his mother has come forward with serious allegations of ragging and abuse that she believes drove her son to take his own life.
In an emotional Instagram post, Rajna PM, mother of Mihir Ahammed claimed that her son expressed her anguish over insensitive online content related to her son’s death. She claimed Ahammed, endured severe physical and verbal harassment, including being beaten, humiliated, and even forced to lick a toilet seat.
“The minds of those who are spreading such things related to my son’s death, with such captions, must be extremely cruel,” she wrote in response to an animated clip depicting a character jumping off a cliff, referencing Mihir’s fall from the 26th floor of an apartment complex.
Allegations of Bullying and Ragging at School
Rajna has formally complained to the Kerala state police chief, alleging that Mihir faced severe bullying and ragging at GEMS Modern Academy, a prominent private school in Kochi, where he was enrolled in Class 9 since November 2024. According to her complaint, Mihir was physically assaulted, forcibly taken to the washroom, and subjected to degrading abuse, both at school and on the school bus.
On January 15, Mihir returned home from school at 3:25 PM. Shortly after, he was seen standing near the corridor window of their apartment on the 26th floor. By 3:50 PM, he had allegedly jumped, marking a tragic end to his short life. Reports suggest that Mihir may have also faced harassment at his previous school, Global Public School.
Police Investigation and SIT’s Role
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala Police is actively probing the circumstances surrounding Mihir’s death. On Sunday, SIT officials recorded detailed statements from Mihir’s parents, even though their testimony had been taken previously. An officer stated that the parents’ information was not firsthand, and investigators were working to find individuals with direct knowledge of the incidents. Police are also trying to gather electronic evidence that could substantiate the allegations.
Mihir’s uncle, Shareef, revealed that an analysis of online chats among students suggested Mihir was subjected to ragging at his new school. After Mihir’s passing, Rajna shared screenshots of these messages with the school principal and later on social media. She accused the school of attempting to suppress the matter to protect its reputation.
School’s Response and Disciplinary Actions
GEMS Modern Academy has denied the allegations, stating that it cannot act on “presumptions, surmises, and social media posts” without concrete proof. The school emphasised its zero-tolerance policy on bullying and ragging, assuring that no student involved in misconduct would be shielded. However, to ensure an impartial investigation, the school suspended Vice Principal Binu Azeez on Sunday.
The tragic incident has drawn the attention of educational authorities and child rights organizations. On Saturday, Ernakulam’s Deputy Director of Education visited the school to assess the situation. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also taken suo motu action, issuing notices to the district police chief, the school principal, and other relevant officials.
Mihir’s case underscores the pressing need to address bullying and mental health issues among students. As the investigation unfolds, authorities and educational institutions must work together to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for learning and personal growth. The outcome of the probe will be crucial in determining accountability and preventing similar tragedies in the future.