Boy caught with liquor jumps from school building

A 17-year-old Class XI student jumped off the third floor balcony of his east Delhi school after he was caught for allegedly bringing alcohol to class on Tuesday. He is in hospital with severe head injuries and a broken shoulder.

A 17-year-old Class XI student jumped off the third floor balcony of his east Delhi school after he was caught for allegedly bringing alcohol to class on Tuesday. He is in hospital with severe head injuries and a broken shoulder.

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The boy is a humanities student at the Somerville School in Vasundhara Enclave. His class teacher and school principal had apparently scolded him after discovering a liquor bottle in his bag. His parents were called to discuss the matter, fearing which he panicked and jumped, police officials said.

According to the police, the boy’s classmate complained to the teacher after he brought a quarter bottle of whiskey to school and showed it to other students during recess.

“One of them complained to the teacher,” said an officer investigating the case.

However, a Class XII student said the bottle was discovered during routine checking.

“It was his class teacher who discovered the bottle and took him to our acting principal. He begged her not to tell his mother and threatened to jump from the balcony. But our principal didn’t listen and called his mother anyway,” said the student requesting anonymity.

While the principal was speaking to his mother, the boy ran out of the room to the first floor balcony. He was held back by two classmates. But he ran up to the third and managed to jump from there.

He fell headfirst down the three floors, severely injuring himself and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Doctors said he was in ventilator support.

A case of causing hurt by endangering life or personal safety of others was registered against unknown persons. School authorities were not available for comment despite repeated attempts while the boy’s mother refused to talk to the media.