The attorney-general has given the green light to hold an inquest into the death of Form Two student M Vasanthapiriya, who was accused of stealing a teacher's mobile phone.

According to The Star, Penang police chief A Thaiveegan (photo) said investigations have been completed.

He said the AG's approval was obtained on Monday, but the date for the commencement of the inquest had yet to be announced.

"The faster we get the date, the faster we will announce it," he told reporters in Penang.

Yesterday, South Seberang Perai district police chief Shafie Samad told Malaysiakini that they had already interviewed the teacher involved, but were waiting on the forensic report from the Penang General Hospital before proceeding with further action.

Vasanthapiriya had attempted to hang herself with a shawl on Jan 24 after she was accused of stealing the mobile phone.

The 14-year-old student 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.

Last week, Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan (photo) drew flak when he confirmed that Vasanthapiriya had a history of self-harm.

“Yes, in 2016, she cut her wrist," he had said when quizzed on this by a newspaper reporter.

The Sun daily also quoted Kamalanathan as stating that Vasanthapiriya's family did not proceed with a counselor's suggestion to seek medical help for the teenager after the incident.

The deceased's father R Muniandy later dismissed Kamalanathan's statement.

"To Kamalanathan, I know my daughter, she has never done any such thing. She has never harmed herself, let alone cut her wrist. If she had done any of that, there would be police records, or hospital or clinic records.

"You can check, there is none of that,” he told a press conference.