Analysis: Misleading
Fact:A 13-year-old boy died after his classmate mother poisoned him, due to school marks and ranking competition between victim and accused daughter.
Intent:Hardcore Hindutva social media user attempting to give this tragic incident a religious spin.
Explained:
A 13-year-old boy, who was allegedly poisoned by his classmate’s mother, died on Saturday. According to police, the woman poisoned the boy since there was always a tough competition between her son and the victim over scoring marks and securing ranks in class.
Last week, Bala Manikandan, a Class 8 student of a private school, was reportedly feeling drowsy after returning from his school’s Annual Day rehearsals. When his mother asked him if he had consumed anything at school, he told her that he drank juice that the watchman offered him and then collapsed.
Bala was rushed to Karaikkal Government hospital and was undergoing treatment.
When his parents and relatives enquired why the watchman gave him the juice, he said a woman came to him and handed over two juice bottles, claiming that it was from Bala’s home.
On scanning CCTV footage, a woman was seen handing over the juice to the watchman. Later, she was identified as Bala’s classmate Arul Mary’s mother Sagayarani Victoria.
Bala died in the hospital on Saturday night. His parents and relatives held a protest demanding justice, leading police to arrest Sagayarani Victor.
According to preliminary investigation, Sagayarani said during questioning that there was competition between her son Arul Mary and Bala over scores and securing ranks in class, that often resulted in petty fights. She was apparently upset over this issue.
Police said Sagayarani gave the juice laced with poison to the watchman and since she said that it was from Bala’s relative, he had given it to the child. Further investigation into the case is underway.
