Around 8 am today, soon after the morning prayers, Danish went straight to the third-floor toilet, poured kerosene that he was carrying in his water bottle on his body and set himself ablaze. Engulfed in flames, he then stumbled out into the corridor, where his friends - Mohammed Ansari and Mohammad Sheikh - used their sweaters and shirts to put out the fire. They were soon joined by some staff members too. But their efforts proved futile and Danish slumped to the ground. Eye-witnesses said his torso was completely charred. Danish was then rushed to the J J Hospital, where he was declared dead before admission.

Police, who ruled out any foul play, said the boy'sdismal performance in studies was what had led him to take the extreme step. They said his younger brother had overtaken him in school and this had given Danish a complex.

Yesterday afternoon, while borrowing a science journal, Danish reportedly told a friend that he would never be borrowing the book again. Investigating officer Sub-inspector Himatrao Pawar told this newspaper that the boy had brought kerosene in a green water bottle tucked in his school bag. Alarmed by the smell when some students inquired whether he was carrying some inflammable liquid, Danish told them it was water.

Danish's cancer stricken mother Sharifa (46), brought up her three sons and a daughter after her husband Rashid Khan died in 1990. A resident of DMC Colony at Deonar, she is a teacher in a local school. She told the school authorities today that Danish was absolutely calm and composed yesterday. There was not the slightest indication that he could take such a step today, she said.