Student stabs teacher to death for reporting him to his parents

Woman killed after raising concerns over poor academic record

Chennai: A Grade Nine student on Thursday stabbed to death a teacher in his school here for complaining to his parents about his poor academic performance.

Mohammad Irfan of St. Mary's Anglo-Indian School killed Uma Maheswari, who taught Hindi and Science, in class.

Maheswari, a mother of two, raised the alarm when Irfan started stabbing her but bled to death before others could come to her rescue. She was rushed to the Government General Hospital where doctors pronounced her dead.

The school officials caught Irfan, who hid in a toilet room, and handed him over to the police.

A visibly shocked Father A. Bosco, school administrator, told reporters that the boy had come prepared to attack the teacher.

He said he had hidden a knife in his bag. Police said Irfan was upset with Maheswari for complaining about him to his parents.

School authorities have said the institution will be closed for four days as a result of the incident.

Media reports said Irfan stabbed Maheswari in the neck and face. She died on the spot.

When the other students screamed, he allegedly threatened them before fleeing. He was caught by teachers and other students and handed over to the police, a witness said.

"The boy came with a knife wrapped in a paper," media reports quoted a policeman investigating the case. "He said he was angry because the teacher scolded him. We don't know yet if there is any other reason."

His schoolmates said he was not an aggressive child, but was quite aloof, reports added.

"He never used to mingle with others," one student said.