Kolkata: A tragic case from Panskura in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district raised concerns after a 13-year-old boy died by suicide days after being publicly accused of theft and humiliated both by a shopkeeper and his own mother. The Class 7 student, Krishnendu Das, left behind a suicide note reading, “Maa, I did not steal."

The incident occurred on Sunday, May 18, when Krishnendu, a student at Bakulda High School, was accused of stealing three packets of chips from a sweet shop in Gosainber market. The shop is owned by Shubhankar Dixit, a local civil volunteer.

According to eyewitnesses, cited by NDTV, the boy was spotted with the chips near the shop. When confronted, Krishnendu reportedly handed over Rs 20, explaining he had taken the packets on credit.

Despite paying, Dixit allegedly dragged the boy back to the shop, beat him, and forced him to apologise publicly in the market area. This public humiliation reportedly left Krishnendu shaken. Matters worsened when his mother, upon hearing of the incident, took him back to the shop and scolded him again in front of others.

Deeply disturbed, Krishnendu returned home and attempted suicide. He was rushed to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital in critical condition, where he died on Thursday, May 22.

The family blames both the shopkeeper and the public humiliation for pushing the boy towards this fatal decision. “The child was very sad due to the mother's scolding,” News18 reported the family as saying. Dixit has reportedly been absconding since the incident.

Authorities are investigating the inciden.