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Family and organizations protest outside Coimbatore collectorate over student suicide

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India · since Oct 23, 2026

Is it still on?

YESDay 4 and counting, since Oct 23.

Last report · checked

Summary in three lines

Why they are protesting
Protesters are demonstrating over the death of a 16-year-old student who allegedly faced caste-based harassment and taunts at school.
What they want
They demand accountability, thorough investigations, and the arrest of all individuals responsible for abetting the student's suicide.
What changed
Oct 26: The Director General of Police transferred the investigation into the student's death to the CB-CID.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Arrest all persons responsible for the student's death
  • Thorough investigation into caste-based discrimination and harassment
  • Action against school staffers and authorities allegedly involved

Organised by: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Tamil Nadu Congress Committee

What authorities say

Police booked the school principal, a teacher, and two students for abetment to suicide, and suspended the principal and teacher. A senior police officer stated the investigation was being conducted transparently. On October 26, the DGP transferred the case to the CB-CID.123

The numbers

Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.

Arrests / detentions
4
Two students, principal among 4 held over Tamil Nadu student's suicide2
Deaths
1
suicide of Akilan, a 16-year-old Class XI student123

The full story

Family members, relatives, and representatives of various political and progressive organisations staged a multi-day protest outside the Coimbatore district collectorate following the death of a 16-year-old Class XI student in Peelamedu. The family alleged that the student died by suicide after facing caste-based discrimination and harassment from a teacher and classmates regarding his caste and food choices. The protesting family initially refused to receive the student's body until action was taken. In response to mounting pressure, the school management suspended the headmaster and class teacher, and police booked four individuals, including the principal, teacher, and two students, for abetment to suicide. Subsequently, the Director General of Police transferred the case investigation to the Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID).

Timeline

  1. The Director General of Police transferred the investigation into the student's death to the CB-CID.3

  2. Police booked a principal, teacher, and two students, and political leaders called for swift justice and arrests.2

  3. Family, relatives, and progressive organisations held a protest outside the Coimbatore district collectorate demanding action.1

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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