Date:02/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/02/stories/2007060218910400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Unable to pay college fee, girl ends life

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Unable to pay her college fees, Jayalakshmi (17) burnt herself to death at her house in Sriramapuram police station limits in Bangalore early on Friday.

The police said that around 3 a.m. Jayalakshmi doused herself with kerosene and immolated herself at her house on 5th Cross, Dayanandanagar. Her parents rushed her to a hospital and she died there a few minutes later.

The police said the teenager had passed her first year pre-university from Sai Pre-University College near Bashyam Circle in Rajajinagar.

She had to pay Rs. 8,000 as fees for admission to second year PUC.

On Thursday, her father Manohar, a mason, told her that he did not have enough money to pay the fees, but would arrange for half the sum by evening.

Mr. Manohar and his wife, a domestic help, were finding it difficult to meet the education expenses of their three daughters. Her grieving uncle said, "We don't know why she did it. She was a bright child. She was getting good marks and wanted to study further."

After autopsy , Jayalakshmi's body was handed over to her parents. The Sriramapuram police have registered a case.