Tragedy Strikes Bihar Residential School as 13-Year-Old Student Dies
A 13-year-old girl student has died under tragic circumstances at the Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls' School located in the Gwalpara block of Madhepura district in Bihar. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, sparking serious allegations of negligence against the school administration from the grieving family.
Details of the Incident
The deceased has been identified as Santoshi Kumari, daughter of Bablu Sharma from Najhua ward number 5 under Gwalpara police station. Santoshi had been residing and studying at this residential educational institution for the past two years alongside her younger sister, Anshu Kumari, who is twelve years old.
Notably, Santoshi was shifted to a different room just two days before her untimely death. On the evening before the tragedy, the school had organized a cultural program which Santoshi attended. She returned to her room around 9:30 PM.
At approximately 3 AM on Monday, her roommates noticed her health condition deteriorating rapidly and immediately alerted the school warden. The warden then sought medical assistance. Santoshi was rushed to the Gwalpara Community Health Centre, where attending doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
Family Alleges Negligence and Raises Questions
Family members of the deceased have made serious allegations against the school authorities. They claim that there was a significant delay in providing crucial medical assistance to Santoshi, which they believe directly contributed to her death.
The family has also raised questions about the school's decision to move Santoshi to another room shortly before the incident, seeking clarity on the reasoning behind this change.
According to police accounts, after Santoshi's condition worsened, the warden reached her room and instructed other students to massage her body with oil. Subsequently, she was transported to the health centre on a motorcycle with assistance from a security guard.
Official Investigation Underway
Udakishunganj Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pankaj Ghosh has confirmed that the exact cause of death will be determined following the post-mortem examination report, which is currently awaited.
"If the post-mortem confirms any injury or suspicious marks on the body, further action will be taken accordingly," Ghosh stated. "Discussions are being held with the school management, and all persons concerned, especially the warden and responsible officials who stay on campus at night, are being interrogated."
The SDM further elaborated on the investigative steps taken:
- Statements have been recorded from girl students who were present in the room at the time of the incident
- A written statement has been obtained from the school warden
- CCTV footage from the school premises has been thoroughly examined
"The footage only shows the girl being taken to the hospital in the morning. Family members and public representatives were also shown the footage. As of now, no external incident or assault has been confirmed," Ghosh explained, adding that the case is being investigated from all possible angles and further action will follow based on the investigation findings.
The tragedy has raised serious concerns about student safety and medical emergency protocols in residential educational institutions, particularly in government-run schools in Bihar. The investigation continues as authorities await the post-mortem report that may provide crucial insights into the circumstances surrounding Santoshi Kumari's sudden death.
