A student, who stabbed his teacher in a classroom of a school in Parry’s Corner in February 2012, was ordered to be sent to a special home in Chengalpattu by the Juvenile Justice Board on Wednesday.
The family of the victim, R. Uma Maheswari (39), which was in the Juvenile court premises, said their intention was not to have the child punished, but wanted him to change. The boy, who was then 15 years old, had stabbed his teacher because she had reportedly reprimanded him for not doing well in studies.
Uma Maheswari was teaching science and Hindi for close to a decade at the school. On February 9, around 10.50 a.m., she was sitting in the first floor room for the class IXA Hindi class, when the boy attacked her. She was taken to a nearby private hospital, which referred her to Government General Hospital. But she died on the way. The boy was sent to the juvenile home where he was held for 40 days. After that, he was let out on bail.
On Wednesday, he along with his parents arrived at the Juvenile Justice Board in Kellys around 11 p.m. A three-member board, comprising Judge Lakshmi Ramesh, and members Girija Kumarababu and Selvi Isabel, heard the case. The board’s order read: “Therefore, having regard to the nature of offence committed and the circumstances of the case, this board feels it expedient to make an order directing him to be sent to the special home for the period of two years.” Further, it said that allowing him to participate in group counselling, perform community service, or imposing a fine on the parents would not serve his interest, or change his attitude, nature or behavioural patterns.
The board said that, considering his age and conduct, the juvenile be housed in a special security government special home. However, as there is no such home, the board addressed the government to establish such a facility with adequate infrastructure and staff.
It also directed the authorities to ensure that he received necessary psychological support and completed his class XII studies with French as a subject. He is also entitled to go on leave and will be engaged in yoga, meditation and repeated counselling.
Later, the Judge and members told the boy that it was a rehabilitation measure. “You cannot change what has happened, but you can direct your future. Hence, use the time to reflect and decide what to do in the future,” said one of the members.
C.V. Ravishankar, the victim’s husband, said he was not keen on seeing the boy punished. “He has to realise his mistake and change,” he said.
Amritham, Uma Maheshwari’s mother, said that the boy would have committed the crime unknowingly. “I wish and pray for his welfare too,” she said.
Assistant public prosecutor S. Dhiraviaraj, who appeared for the government, said the boy had been sent to the special home in Chengalpattu on Wednesday.
Our reporter Asha Sridhar gives the timeline of events:
