Balasore, Nov. 29: Police have registered a case against the headmaster of a local high school following allegations that he mentally harassed a Class X student, who ended his life yesterday by consuming poison.

Harihar Mandal, a farmer, alleged that his son Alekh took the drastic step since he (Mandal) could not afford to pay Rs 300 as penalty towards shortage of attendance in school.

He said Alekh was under severe stress as the headmaster of Agarwala High School, Sarat Mishra, had warned him that if he failed to deposit the money, he would not be allowed to appear for the pre-boards ahead of the matriculation exams in February next year.

Alekh, a resident of Khandhar village, consumed poison and was rushed to a hospital for treatment, but died a few hours later.

While the school headmaster was found to be on leave, other teachers and staff members of the school have denied the charges of mental harassment. Acting on the complaint of the victim’s father, the police have begun an investigation.

“A case under Section 306 of IPC (abetment of suicide) has been registered against the headmaster. We are probing the case,” said Manas Deo, inspector in-charge of Basta police station.