Teacher, who took poison last week, dies at hospital.

Byline: FAIZAN ALI WARRAICH

LAHORE -- A college teacher, who took poison last week over allegations of sexual harassment against him, died at a public hospital on Saturday.

Afzal Mehmood, an English teacher at Mayo College, was rushed to Jinnah Hospital as he attempted suicide by swallowing poisonous pills 10 days ago. Police said they found a 'suicide note', reading: 'I leave this matter in the court of Allah, The police are requested not to investigate anyone.'

A girl student alleged the teacher was involved in levelling the charges of harassment. An internal inquiry, commissioned by the principal proved him innocent but the college administration hesitant to issue 'any innocence certificate to him'.

Inquiry committee head Dr Aliya Rehman said: 'The report clearly stated that harassment charges were false and Afzal was innocent. I also suggested stern action against the girl for being involved in hurling fake charges at him.'

Just a day before attempting suicide, the deceased reported to have made a request to the committee head for releasing a innocence certificate. He requested the inquiry officer to hand over his innocence certificate and his salary to his mother if he dies during this period.

He continued: 'You told me that I have been cleared of the harassment allegation but I am still under extreme stress as the case is known by the whole college and until the admin will not give me in writing that the allegations were baseless. I will always be considered a person with bad character. I beg you to reopen the inquiry and rusticate the girl for hurling fake charges at him. Marking on merit is my fault. My family life is disturbed and my wife left me.'

According to a private news channel, the body handed over to the family after they expressed unwillingness to file a case. Principal Dr Farhan Ibadat told the channel that he had ordered an inquiry after receiving a harassment complaint from a...