Shopkeeper who ‘abetted’ 12-year-old boy’s suicide held
Times of India | 11 June 2025
12345 Tamluk: The shopkeeper-cum-civic volunteer accused of abetting the suicide of a 12-year-old boy in Panskura on May 18 has been arrested. Subhankar Dikshit was apprehended on Sunday after cops tracked his phone. He was remanded in 14 days in judicial custody.Around 1.30am on Sunday, police traced the accused's phone near Deulia. Cops subsequently arrested him near Jiada bus stand. Krishnendu Das, a seventh standard student, had gone to the accused's shop at Gosai Ber village of Keshapat panchayat in Panskura, and is said to have picked up a packet of chips without paying.Locals said the accused allegedly pursued the child, scolded him, made him squat and threatened police action. When the child's mother, Sumitra Das, became aware of the incident, she admonished her son in front of the shopkeeper. Later, the 12-year-old consumed pesticide in a suicide bid and died in a hospital on May 22. He left behind a suicide note in which he said: "Mom, I did not steal." After his suicide, locals demonstrated in front of Dikshit's shop accusing him of causing psychological distress to the child. Dikshit, on his part, released CCTV footage that showed he attempted to protect the child when his mother was beating him at his shop.Locals said the accused allegedly pursued the child, scolded him and threatened police action