GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have proposed an inquest into the attempted suicide and death of Form Two student M Vasanthapiriya, who was accused of stealing her teacher’s mobile phone.
Penang Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief SAC Zainol Samah said they had recently handed over three investigation papers to the prosecutors.
“The proposed inquest would be in line with heightened public interest over her case.
“However, the prosecutors have instructed us to investigate the case further,” he said at a press conference today.
Zainol added that the three investigation papers on Vasanthapiriya’s case include attempted suicide, a sudden death report, and a police report by the teen’s uncle.
“The prosecutor’s office wants us to make more statements available before deciding. As for the uncle’s report, the prosecutor’s office had asked us to look for new leads,” he said.
Zainol said the first investigation paper into the attempted suicide under Section 309 of the Penal Code was dropped following Vasanthapiriya’s death, while the second paper was on a sudden death report.
He said the third paper was a report against slander against the teacher by an “unidentified Indian person”.
Vasanthapiriya attempted to take her own life on Jan 24 after being accused of stealing her teacher’s iPhone.
She was saved by her father who then sent her to hospital. However, she never regained consciousness and died on Feb 1.
Vasanthapiriya’s case garnered national attention after her uncle filed a police report stating that she was allegedly confined by her accuser at school before being driven home some five hours later.
Cops slam ‘unethical, false’ reporting in Vasanthapiriya case
Teacher took Vasanthapiriya for drink hours before suicide attempt, says eyewitness
Ex-teacher: Vasanthapiriya timid girl with no disciplinary issues