Every junior student has to wear a jacket as part of the uniform that has to be purchased from the college for Rs 180. Since the jackets are not required to be worn by senior students, both Neeta and Neena decided sell their to for Rs 50 each.

``Someone who knew we had sold our jackets squealed to S Lydia, a senior faculty member. She used offensive language and slapped us in front of the class. I made the mistake of reminding her that she had no right to treat us like that,'' says Neeta. ``Both of us were dragged and tossed out of the college premises,'' she toldExpress Newsline.

The girls say Lydia had told them to return with their parents to collect their leaving certificates which would bear adverse remarks ``so that they could not secure admission elsewhere''. Having paid hefty donations during admissions, though, made the girls beg forgiveness. When the authorities did not relent, they told Lydia they would commit suicide.

``Are you trying to frighten me,'' she asked in front of the other students. ``I am not bothered,'' she had said.

Neeta and Neena then proceeded to Mulund, purchased insecticide and swallowed it, they admit. the girls were found lying on the roadside by pedestrians near the municipal school in Mulund (E) and taken to the municipal hospital. They are out of danger and will be discharged soon.

Mulund police have registered a criminal offence and investigations are on.

The Thane unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidrarthi Parishad (ABVP) today held a demonstration outside the college premises, demanding that Lydia be dismissed. Theyare also asking that the school reimburse the girls' medical expenses.

College Principal, Harsh Khanna, has dubbed the incident as ``unfortunate'' and promised that a decision on discontinuing Lydia's services would be taken within three days.

Police have registered a case of abetment to suicide.