At the time of his death, Mihir lived in Thrippunithura, Kochi, with his mother Rajna and stepfather Saleem. According to findings submitted by the Puthencruz police to the Aluva Rural SP, no evidence of bullying or harassment has emerged, contrary to mother’s complaint.
Published Apr 23, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 23, 2025 | 7:02 AM
Mihir Ahmed died by suicide due to alleged bullying by schoolmates.
Synopsis: Mihir’s suicide has sparked controversy after his biological father, Shafeeq Madampatt, alleged issues at the boy’s home, particularly with his stepfather. Mihir, who lived in Kochi with his mother and stepfather, died after falling from their 26th-floor apartment. Shafeeq claims Mihir was cheerful just before the incident and is demanding a deeper probe into the final 30 minutes.
Mihir Ahmed was just 15, a bright ninth grader with his whole world ahead of him. But that world came crashing down in silence. When the news of his suicide at Thiruvaniyoor Global Public School surfaced, many feared the worst, ragging. His mother levelled severe allegations of bullying in school.
Now, the police report tells a different story. According to findings submitted by the Puthencruz police to the Aluva Rural SP, no evidence of bullying or harassment has emerged. The report hints at an unhealthy family environment. The report, however, contradicts an independent inquiry into the boy’s suicide by another government department.
The Kochi Hill Palace police have registered a suspected abetment to suicide case, while Kochi Puthencruz police are probing ragging allegations linked to Mihir’s death. Hill Palace Inspector AL Yesudas is examining possible external factors behind Ahmed’s distress.
Meanwhile, criticism mounts over whether police are fully exploring all angles, including bullying and harassment.
When South First contacted Puthencruz ASI Binoy KG, who led the investigation, he stated,”In our probe, we found no evidence of ragging. We thoroughly verified all possible angles, particularly focusing on the ragging allegations. We also checked with school authorities, including those at Gems Academy and Global Public School, where Mihir studied. Nothing suspicious came up.”
The Puthencruz police have now submitted their report to the Aluva Rural SP and concluded their investigation, which solely looked into the ragging angle.
However, the main investigation is being conducted by the Thrippunithura Hill Palace Police. Investigation Officer AL Yesudas told South First.
”Puthencruz police independently probed the ragging aspect, but that’s not the final word. Our report, which will cover all possible angles, will be submitted by the end of this month.”
When South First contacted, office of the Education Minister, officials confirmed that the ragging allegations by the parents of Mihir will not be ignored. Director General of Education (DGE), Shanavas S, has prepared a detailed report after a thorough investigation conducted directly by the education department.
DGE Shanavas S IAS confirmed to South First that his probe found evidence of ragging against Mihir and that the report will be submitted to the department next week.
However, the Puthencruz Police and the Education Department have found two contradictory conclusions on the matter, which stand in stark contrast to each other.
Mihir’s mother had previously told South First that attempts were made by the school authorities to protect their reputation and shield the students involved, who are believed to belong to an ‘influential’ class.
The tragic suicide of Mihir has taken a new turn with his biological father, Shafeeq Madampatt, stepping forward with serious allegations regarding the boy’s home environment, particularly his relationship with his stepfather. Shafeeq, a native of Malappuram, has cast doubt on the circumstances leading to his son’s death, raising questions about what transpired during the crucial half-hour before the incident.
At the time of his death, Mihir was living in Thrippunithura, Kochi, with his mother Rajna and stepfather Saleem. According to Shafeeq, the boy returned from school to their residence at the Choice Paradise apartment around 3 p.m. on 15 January, reportedly in a happy and upbeat mood.
However, within just 30 minutes, Mihir plunged from the 26th floor of the high-rise building. This abrupt and dramatic change in behaviour has prompted the father to call for a deeper probe into what might have happened in that short timeframe.
Mihir’s chats with his biological father, Shafeeq.
Further fuelling suspicions, South First has accessed chat messages exchanged between Mihir and his biological father, suggesting underlying tensions and signs of emotional distress possibly linked to a strained family dynamic. Despite these revelations, Rajna and Saleem have refuted all allegations, maintaining that the home environment was not a contributing factor in the boy’s death.
The report on forensic examination of Mihir’s electronic devices is still awaited to shed more light on the events that may have led to the tragedy.
Earlier, General Education Minister V Sivankutty had directed a comprehensive inquiry into the suicide of Mihir. An initial report by the Director of General Education revealed that the school failed to act on a bullying complaint lodged by Mihir’s mother, an oversight that may have had devastating consequences.
The same institution had previously forced another student to transfer due to similar unresolved complaints, pointing to a worrying pattern of inaction.
Minister Sivankutty reiterated that all educational institutions must secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the state government, a requirement this particular school has reportedly not met.
Despite these developments, the school administration maintains that no direct link has been found between Mihir’s death and alleged bullying.
As part of the investigation, the Director of General Education visited Kochi and recorded detailed statements from Mihir’s parents, school authorities, and other relevant individuals.
In a significant development, the school management suspended Binu Asis, Vice Principal of Kochi Gems Modern Academy, where Mihir was enrolled. Officials clarified that the suspension aims to uphold the impartiality of the ongoing investigation. Binu Asis had already been questioned by police in connection with the case.
Adv. Manitha Mythri, a Childline official from Kottayam, told South First that the organisation deals with numerous distressing cases every day.
“We even receive calls from children themselves,” she said. “Many of them are in severe emotional distress, and the most heartbreaking reality is that the source of their suffering is often their own family.”
According to her, children in conflict with the law or those in need of care and protection often come from broken families or environments with toxic parenting.
”In the recent ragging incidents reported in Kottayam, we observed a common pattern: both the accused and the victims came from disrupted family structures. Some had issues with their fathers or mothers, while others were struggling with stepparents. Almost every issue traces back to the family,” she said.
Manitha emphasised that in most cases, it’s not the child who is the troublemaker, but the circumstances created by the parents. “We offer counselling sessions to parents and conduct group sessions as well. Some situations improve through this support, but if not, we consider placing the child in a care home for their safety and well-being.”
Speaking from her own experience, she added, “As a single parent myself, I believe choosing to have a partner is personal. But whatever the choice, a child must be reassured, ‘You are my priority, and I am here for you.’ Sadly, many parents fail to provide this assurance. They often focus on protecting their own interests, becoming emotionally unavailable to their children in the process.”
She concluded by stressing that parents must be mindful of their child’s mental health and do their best to minimise the impact of trauma.
Although all aspects of Mihir’s suicide need to be discussed, including the ragging allegations made by his mother and the issues raised by his biological father, one major question remains, how did two departments come to two contrasting conclusions?
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
