Jan Shikshak suicide case: Teachers demand FIR against IAS officer

Hundreds of Rajya Adhyapak Sangh (RAS) members on Friday staged a two-hour protest at district’s Rajpur police station, demanding registration of an FIR against Zila Panchayat chief executive officer (CEO) and IAS officer B Kartikeyan in the September-29 suicide case of Janshikshak Prakash Chouhan.

Hundreds of Rajya Adhyapak Sangh (RAS) members on Friday staged a two-hour protest at district’s Rajpur police station, demanding registration of an FIR against Zila Panchayat chief executive officer (CEO) and IAS officer B Kartikeyan in the September-29 suicide case of Janshikshak Prakash Chouhan.

Teachers stage a demonstration at Rajpur police station, demanding an FIR against Zila Panchayat CEO and IAS officer B Kartikeyan in Barwani on Friday. (HT photo)

Later they submitted a memorandum in the name of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to sub-divisional officer of police PS Baghel. RAS president Jagdish Yadav threatened to go on a nationwide strike if their demands are not fulfilled.

Besides seeking registration of an FIR for abetment to suicide against Kartikeyan, their demands included Rs 25-lakh compensation and a job for deceased Janshikshak’s widow, and action against district midday meal officer Ravindra Lele and a supplier self-help group. Their protest was also supported by Anusuchit Jati and Janjati Hit Raksha Sangh.

Prakash committed suicide by consuming poison on September 29 and left a suicide note wherein he held Kartikeyan responsible for his extreme step. “The deceased’s brother Subhash handed over a duly signed suicide note which clearly mentions Prakash took this step due to termination threat given by Kartikeyan during a review meeting on September 21. In his suicide note, Prakash wrote he had no grievances against the block education officer and the block resource convener,” said Rajpur police station town inspector Suresh Mahale.

“Till now the police investigation hasn’t found anything against B Kartikeyan. We have sent the deceased’s suicide note and mobile phone to experts and waiting for the reports,” said Baghel.

Kartikeyan, however, denied the allegation and said he acted according to government norms. District collector Tejaswi Naik too came out in support of the Zila Panchayat CEO. “There were complaints alleging mid-day meals were not being distributed at a school of village Morani since it opened on June 16. Prakash didn’t submit his report regarding the matter and the mid-day meal scheme was snatched from the self-help group and was handed over to the village panchayat to run it from August,” said Naik

Since his written reply was pending, Kartikeyan inquired Prakash during a meeting in September to which he replied that some goons linked to a self-help group are blocking smooth operation of the scheme. Prakash allegedly failed to elaborate further in the matter. “Thereafter, Kartikeyan directed a departmental inquiry against Prakash but no notice was served till September 29. Police inquiry will reveal the truth,” Naik added.