Penang Girl Who Was Harassed And Accused Of Stealing By Her Teachers Declared Brain-Dead
The Form Two student had tried to commit suicide by hanging herself at home.
By Sadho Ram — 28 Jan 2018, 05:16 PM
Vasanthapiriya, a Form Two student of SMK Methodist in Nibong Tebal who tried to commit suicide after being accused of stealing her teacher's iPhone, has been reportedly declared brain-dead
According to a report in Free Malaysian Today (FMT), the girl suffered organ failure.
She has been put on life support and is currently undergoing intensive-care treatment at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.
"We are praying for a miracle for her to survive and tell us what she has gone through," FMT quoted David Marshel Pakianathan, a Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) councillor who is assisting Vasanthapiriya's family.
The girl was mentally harassed by her teachers
She was summoned by four teachers at the school, who threatened her with a police report against her if she did not confess to stealing her teacher's iPhone 6. When she refused to do so while maintaining her innocence, she was beaten up.
According to the girl's family, she was allegedly locked in a room by her teachers, who kept demanding her to confess to stealing the iPhone.
The family also claimed that while Vasanthapiriya's friends, who were also questioned by the teachers, defended her by saying she did not steal the phone, the teachers did not allow her to eat during the period she was locked in a room.
Vasanthapiriya had left a note, stating, "Nobody is responsible for my death. I want to thank my lovely parents for taking care of me.
I am so sorry. Teacher, I never took your phone. I promise."
The matter is currently being investigated by both the Penang police and the education department, with the state police chief Commissioner Arumugam promising to be "fair to all"
On the other hand, the Penang Education Department has temporarily transferred the teacher to carry out desk duties while an internal probe is being conducted.
"The department has opened an investigation paper into this incident as per standard operating procedure. We do not tolerate mistakes made by any party.
"For starters, the teacher involved has been temporarily placed at the South Seberang Perai PPD until investigations are completed.
"We will also cooperate with the police on this matter," State Education Department deputy director Mohd Jamil Mohamed was reported saying by FMT.
Meanwhile, the parents, devastated by their daughter's condition, have enlisted a human rights pressure group for legal assistance
The group said the girl's parents are too weak to face the situation.
"There are attempts to shift the blame to the girl and the father when it is the teacher who caused this. We are providing legal assistance and also morally supporting the family at the moment and we will ensure the girl gets justice," Malaysian Tamilar Kural secretary Satees Muniandy was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
