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Show us the incriminating footage, says Vasanthapiriya's family
Published:  Feb 23, 2018 4:15 PM
Updated: 11:40 AM
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The family of teenager M Vasanthapiriya, who died from complications arising from a suicide attempt after being accused of stealing her teacher's iPhone, wants to examine the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage which allegedly shows her doing the deed.

Her father R Muniandy, 54, was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times (NST) that personally knowing the contents of the footage would help counter the allegations thrown at his late daughter.

Several news outlets, including NST, had quoted sources as saying that CCTV footage had shown Vasanthapiriya taking the phone, but the family has denied this.

"That is not true at all. Our girl would never do such a thing. We want to know the contents of the CCTV footage.

"We really hope to get to the bottom of things and find out what triggered our girl to take her life, because the stolen iPhone was never found on her," Muniandy said.

Muniandy also welcomed the attorney-general's green light for an inquest into the 14-year-old's death, as they hope the truth will be uncovered during the proceedings, so that the family can find closure.

Dearly missed

According to Muniandy, the family still finds it hard to cope with their loss almost a month afer Vasanthapiriya's death. 

“Never a day goes by when we do not think about our little girl.

“Indeed, we are grateful to the attorney-general for giving the green light for the inquest. We will finally know what happened."

Penang police chief A Thaiveegan said yesterday that with the attorney-general's approval for an inquest, the police are expected to call at least 30 witnesses to testify.

Vasanthapiriya, a Form Two student from SMK Methodist Nibong Tebal, had attempted to hang herself with a shawl on Jan 24 after a female teacher accused her of stealing her mobile phone.

The girl had denied the accusations and even penned a note proclaiming her innocence. She slipped into a coma and died on Feb 1.

The teacher involved has since been transferred to the district Education Department pending an investigation into the matter.

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