Ryan school murder case: Boy who ‘found body’ could not write exam that day

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The student had appeared for the English paper three days before the murder and sat for another exam on that day. “He came late that day. He was trembling and could not write a single answer. Later, he told us he found the boy lying in a pool of blood and had alerted the teachers. He said he was in shock,” his batchmate said, adding, “He seemed to be doing fine a few days after the murder. He would laugh it off whenever someone would ask for more details.” Three more exams were supposed to take place following which a PTM was to be held by the class teacher — one week after the last exam.

Pradyuman’s elder sister, who was studying in Class IV at Ryan International School till before her younger brother was killed, is among the many students at the institution who knew the Class XI student — by name and face — said her father, Barun Thakur. According to Thakur, she remembers the boy as he was fairly popular in school, as a result of his participation in co-curricular activities related to music. “My children never had a conversation with him… but my daughter knew who he was. However, they were in junior school and he in Class XI, so there was not much scope for interaction,” he said.

READ | Juvenile got knife to school, weapon found in toilet days after murder, says CBI

The teenager played the keyboard. According to classmates, he tried his hand at other instruments like the guitar. “He spent a lot of time in the music room. He had played for the school chairperson in August and was supposed to perform at the Christmas function as well. He would also spend a lot of time talking to his group of friends near the school water cooler,” another student who knew the accused said.

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Meanwhile, for the second day in a row, the boy’s three-storey home remained locked. His father did not respond to repeated phone calls and text messages from The Indian Express.

Back to square one, say parents

Parents whose students are still studying at the school said they were more confused and worried since Wednesday. “When they said the conductor was guilty, we were less worried. We knew we could improve the situation by dropping and picking up our children and ensuring the school improves security. Now, we are left with no solutions,” said a parent. Another parent, whose child studies in Class VII, added, “Earlier, we comforted ourselves thinking we can change our children’s schools. We can verify staff and security measures of a school before sending our children, but how do we verify each and every child? There is no way we can protect our children from other students.”