Mumbai: Miffed Over Scolding, 12-Year-Old Murders Tuition Teacher With Kitchen Knife

In a shocking case, a 12-year-old boy has been arrested for murdering his teacher in Mumbai’s Govandi area. The victim has been identified as one Ayesha Hushi. The 30-year-old used to run coaching classes from her home, where she lived alone after her divorce. The incident took place on September 16. After the class, the boy’s mother told him to go to his teacher for some money. The boy visited his teacher but Ayesha refused. After his mother insisted, the boy went again and demanded money. An argument broke out between the minor and his teacher. Ayesha scolded him in front of other students.

Miffed, the boy went to his home, got a kitchen knife and stabbed his teacher repeatedly. Ayesha raised alarm. Neighbours took her to a nearby hospital, where she was declared brought dead. A case of murder has been registered by Shivaji Nagar Police. Suhas Kamble, the investigation officer, told News Nation that since the boy is minor, he has been kept at a children home. As per law, a child between seven and 12 years has partial defence from criminal liability, and the prosecution has to establish that the child knew that the act was wrong and he would have to face the consequences.

An Indian Express report said that the boy has also made a startling claim that he was paid Rs 1,000 to murder the teacher. He is probably the youngest person in Mumbai to be charged under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The neighbours are shocked over the crime. “He (the boy) is a good student. We never asked him to get money,” the father of the boy was quoted as saying.

A recent report had said that there has been an alarming increase in the number of minors committing crime. According to latest NCRB data, 33,526 cases against juveniles - majority of them in the age group of 16 to 18 years - were recorded for various offences during 2014. This marks a huge spike of 88.14% from the 17,819 cases registered against minors in 2003.