Christian body opposes arrest of La Martiniere's principal

Speaking out in support of La Martiniere's principal who was arrested by the Kolkata police on Monday, a Christian body claimed that the school was not responsible for the suicide of student Rouvanjit Rawla.

Bangiya Christya Pariseba, an umbrella organisation of 700 Christian schools in Kolkata, criticised the arrest of La Martiniere's principal Sunirmal Chakraborty and said the arrest may "demoralise" school administrators.

"We had conducted an independent enquiry during which we had spoken to a cross section of teachers and students of the school. We have found that the principal had no role in abetting Rouvanjit's suicide. His death is unfortunate, but the principal had no role in it," Bangiya Christya Pariseba's state secretary Herod Mullick told PTI.

He also expressed that Chakraborty's arrest could have a demoralising effect on the school administrators.

"Will the principals now come forward to enforce discipline with the same willingness as they did earlier?" he asked.

Principal Chakraborty and the three teachers who were arrested meanwhile were produced before a court and granted bail against personal bonds of Rs 500 each.

"We had spoken to 82 witnesses but could not establish the charge of abetment to suicide," said Damayanti Sen, Joint Commissioner of Police in the Detective Department.

Chakraborty will also continue to serve the school along with the three other teachers

The school authorities came out in their support after a governing body meeting on Tuesday afternoon. "The accused, including the principal, are yet to be held guilty and it's not binding on the school to act against them till the charges are proved," said school secretary Supriyo Dhar.

Rouvanjit had committed suicide on February 12, a few days after he was reportedly caned by the principal.