Student sets teacher ablaze after complaint over objectionable comment

 

By Sagaya Fernando | August 22, 2025

Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA: In a shocking incident of violence fuelled by one-sided obsession, an 18-year-old student allegedly poured petrol on a 26-year-old guest teacher and set her on fire in Narsinghpur district of Madhya Pradesh. The attack took place on Monday August 18 afternoon, leaving the young teacher with nearly 25 per cent burn injuries.

According to officials, the accused, identified as Suryansh Kochar, was a former student of Excellence School (Utkrisht Vidyalaya) in the Kotwali police station area. Around 3:30 pm on Monday, Kochar reportedly went to the teacher’s residence carrying a bottle of petrol. Without warning, he doused her with the inflammable liquid and set her ablaze before fleeing the scene.

The injured teacher, who had been posted at the institution just one-and-a-half months ago as a lab technician and guest teacher, was initially rushed to the district hospital. Later, she was referred to Jabalpur Medical College for advanced treatment. Doctors have confirmed that she sustained about 25 per cent burns but is currently stable.

Police acted swiftly and arrested Kochar within hours of the incident. Additional Superintendent of Police Sandeep Bhuria said:

“The victim is a 26-year-old guest teacher at the Excellence School. The accused, aged 18 years and one month, went to her house on Monday afternoon with petrol, doused her with it and set her on fire. She has sustained 25 per cent burns and is stable. The accused was apprehended soon after. The exact trigger behind the attack will be clear after further investigation, though the two were known to each other.”

Preliminary investigation suggests the crime was driven by a mix of one-sided affection and personal grudge. Police sources revealed that Kochar had developed feelings for the teacher over the past two years, during which time they were acquainted. He had been expelled from the same school earlier and was enrolled in another institution.

According to Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDOP) Manoj Gupta, the immediate provocation appears to have been a complaint lodged by the teacher after the accused allegedly made an objectionable comment about her attire during the school’s Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

“The teacher had worn a saree for the function, and the accused made an inappropriate remark. The victim reported the matter, which enraged him. He then planned and executed this brutal attack,” Gupta said.

He added that the case is being investigated under attempt to murder and other relevant IPC sections.

Meanwhile, school principal G.S. Patel expressed shock over the incident, stating that the teacher had only recently joined and was fulfilling dual responsibilities as a lab technician and guest lecturer.

“This incident has shaken the entire school community,” Patel said.

While some police officials suggested the matter was connected to a “love affair,” investigators have clarified that the incident primarily stemmed from unreciprocated affection and retaliation for the teacher’s complaint.

Authorities have assured that strict legal action will follow once the victim’s full statement is recorded