Children's poor academic progress drives mother to attempt suicide

Children’s poor academic progress drives mother to attempt suicide

George Mendonca

Posted On Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 10:59:57 AM

Rabale: Frustrated by her children’s poor academic progress report, a 33-year-old housewife reportedly attempted suicide at her residence in Talavali village near Rabale.Investigating Officer API R P Hulawale informed, “The incident took place on July 22. The victim, identified as Nisha Patil, belongs to the Koli community and was married for the last 11 years. In her statement to the police, she stated that she took the drastic step out of frustration.

Her husband worked with a private company in Rabale MIDC area and her two sons, aged 10 years and 4 years were studying in standard VI and senior KG, respectively, at a private English-medium school.“As she did not know to read and write English, she could not teach her children, who were reportedly not doing well in their studies. As she was apprehensive about her children’s academic future, she took this drastic step and set herself on fire in the bathroom adjoining the kitchen.”

Cops informed that her husband was busy with gardening outside the house, while her children were in the living room. Their six-year-old son got alerted by his mother’s cries and starting shouting for help, following which his father rushed to the bathroom and extinguished the fire.

API Hulawale added, “The victim was rushed to the NMMC hospital in Vashi and the doctors informed that she sustained 40 per cent burn injuries. Though she is under treatment at the civic hospital, she suffered severe burns on the chest and this may aggravate her condition, say doctors. As of now, she is undergoing treatment for her burn injuries and is under constant observation of the doctors.”

API Hulawale said, “We have not registered any criminal case in connection with the incident, since as per the supreme court guidelines there should be leniency in burn cases as the victim is already under severe pain and the trauma would aggravate her condition.

“Also, the victim’s in-laws have stated that she was leading a happy married life, but she used to scold her children for not studying properly. Her mother stated that she used to visit Chembur fish market thrice a week to sell fishes. She was always in a good mood and never showed symptoms of depression. Hence, we have only noted down the incident in our daily register.

“In case we receive any complaint that she was coerced into attempting suicide, then accordingly a criminal case will be registered under section 309 of the IPC.”
timesnm@indiatimes.com

Their six-year-old son got alerted by his mother’s cries and starting shouting for help, following which his father rushed to the bathroom and extinguished the fire

Sources: The Times of Navi Mumbai