BANGALORE: Oxford English High School, whose 15-year-old student Darshan S. hanged himself on March 7, sought to distance itself from the suicide at a press conference here on Monday.

The boy was not physically or verbally abused by the teacher whose name was mentioned in the suicide note, Principal M.C. Thomas told presspersons.

"The teacher only wrote in his diary that Darshan tends to misbehave. That is the most polite way in which a teacher can complain to the parents."

When asked why the school was making its stance clear three days after the incident, Mr. Thomas said that the management had been busy dealing with police investigation and other matters.

"Media reports were one sided and we wanted to give our version of events now."

According to the school's version, Darshan's teacher questioned him when he tried to trip a girl over when she was walking. "Since he refused to accept his mistake, the teacher decided to write to his parents," Mr. Thomas said. While not blaming anyone directly, a press note issued by the school sought to deflect the criticism it had been facing. The note says: "Reliable sources said that there were bruises on his body." Mr. Thomas did not elaborate on this statement when pressed further.

Argument

Earlier, the conference turned into a heated argument with the school management refusing to allow visual media to take footage, stating that they did not want their faces on television. When the press threatened to walk out, the management relented and requested that their faces not be shown on TV.

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