'Mother I am not a thief...', a 12 year old child committed suicide when the shopkeeper beat him on the accusation of theft
- bySudha Saxena
- 24 May, 2025

Suicide in West Bengal: In West Medinipur, West Bengal, a shopkeeper punished a 12-year-old child for theft. Hurt by this, the child committed suicide.
West Bengal Suicide News: A 12-year-old boy allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide after a shopkeeper accused him of theft and punished him publicly in Panskura area of West Bengal's West Medinipur district. A police officer gave this information on Friday. The boy named Krishnendu Das was a seventh grader.
What is the whole matter?
The officer quoted Krishnendu's mother as saying that on Thursday evening he (Krishhnendu) had gone to a shop in Gosaibar market to buy chips. He called out to the shopkeeper Shubhankar Dixit several times, "Uncle, I want to buy chips" but got no response. After waiting for a long time, he picked up a packet of chips and went away.
Citing the family's complaint, the police officer said that Dixit chased the child and caught him. After this, he slapped the child and asked him to do sit-ups in front of everyone on the road. The officer said that the investigation into the case is ongoing.
The shopkeeper accused the child of lying
According to the official, Das' mother was called to the spot and she also scolded and slapped him, while the child claimed that he had picked up a packet of 'junk food' lying in a pile in front of the shop and he would come to pay later. Das apologized to the shopkeeper for picking up the packet without asking and also asked him to pay immediately, but the shopkeeper accused the child of lying.
Angry Krishnendu returned home with his mother and locked his room's door from inside and did not open it. The officer said that after some time his mother along with neighbours broke the door and saw that foam was coming out of his (Das's) mouth and a half empty bottle of pesticide was lying nearby. He said that a note written by him in Bengali was also lying there.
What was written in the note?
The note read, "Maa, I am not a thief. I did not steal. Uncle (shopkeeper) was not around when I was waiting. While returning I saw a packet of Kurkure lying on the road and picked it up. I like Kurkure very much." Krishnendu wrote in the note, "These are my last words before leaving. Please forgive me for this act (consuming pesticide)." Das was rushed to Tamluk hospital and admitted to the ICU but died shortly after. The shop owner had initially claimed that he did not attack the child.
But after the matter came to light, he could not be traced and a crowd gathered in front of his closed shop. Shopkeeper Dixit is also a citizen volunteer associated with the Bengal Police to assist in traffic management.
PC:ABPNews