Nearly three years after a tragic incident at Carmel Convent School in Chandigarh claimed a young student's life and left several others severely injured, including one who lost her arm, the victims' families continue to await justice and compensation despite a stern High Court directive.
The Fateful Day That Changed Lives
On July 8, 2022, around 11:30 am, students were having their lunch under a massive 250-year-old heritage peepal tree on the school premises. The absence of a proper dining hall or safe shelter had forced them to seek refuge under the ancient tree. Tragedy struck when a huge branch suddenly snapped and crashed onto the children, resulting in catastrophic consequences.
The incident claimed the life of 16-year-old Class X student Heerakshi and left 18 of her schoolmates with grievous injuries. Among the injured was a young girl whose arm had to be amputated following the accident, forever altering the course of her life and aspirations.
High Court's Strong Rebuke and Compensation Order
In a blistering 41-page order delivered on September 29, 2025, Justice Kuldeep Tiwari of the Punjab and Haryana High Court castigated the Chandigarh Administration for its "lack of empathy and sensitivity" towards the victims' families. The court directed the administration to pay Rs 1 crore to the family of the deceased student and Rs 50 lakh to the minor girl who lost her arm.
The judge further ordered that the administration bear all future medical expenses of the injured girl, including any transplants she might require, and waive her school fees until she completes Class XII. Despite this clear directive, the Chandigarh Administration has failed to disburse the compensation amount of Rs 1.5 crore to the affected families.
Families' Heartbreaking Struggles
Heerakshi's father, Pankaj Kumar, expressed his profound grief and frustration, stating, "We haven't received anything... even otherwise, our child is gone. What to even fight for...?" His words reflect the emotional devastation that no monetary compensation can truly heal.
For Aman Sharma, father of the child who lost her arm, the battle has been particularly challenging. "We learned that a prosthetic limb costs Rs 35 lakh. When the incident took place, everyone in the administration and politicians assured that they would help us get her arm back. The then Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar also visited us, but we received no help," he revealed.
Sharma described his humiliating experience when he approached the Governor's Office with the judge's report, only to be treated rudely by officials. "I informed them that we could not afford the cost of the limb. She is at no fault. She wanted to be a surgeon. Her life has been spoiled. Despite the HC direction, the UT isn't responding," he added emotionally.
Administration's Negligence and Legal Maneuvers
The one-member committee headed by retired Justice Jitendra Chauhan had clearly established that the tragedy occurred due to negligence by the engineering department of the Chandigarh Administration. The committee report, submitted in December 2022, noted that officials had failed to visit the spot and devise specific protocols to maintain such heritage trees properly.
Justice Chauhan had recommended compensation of Rs 1 crore for the deceased's family and Rs 50 lakh for the injured girl, along with coverage of future medical costs. While the administration implemented other recommendations from the report, it brushed aside the compensation advice as "non-binding" and instead paid ex gratia relief of only Rs 20 lakh to the deceased's family and Rs 10 lakh to the survivor.
Advocate Ramdeep Partap Singh, representing the victims' families, confirmed that no communication or compensation has been received from the administration following the High Court order. Meanwhile, a senior officer of the Chandigarh Administration indicated that they might file an appeal against the HC order, further prolonging the families' wait for justice.
Court's Strong Observations on Fundamental Rights
The High Court had expressed grave concern over the administration's handling of the matter, particularly noting that while the administration had constituted an inquiry committee and accepted its recommendations initially, it resorted to legal technicalities when it came to compensation payments.
The court emphasized that "the negligent act of one of the wings of the Chandigarh Administration has resulted in the loss of a precious young life" and that the injured victims have every right to enforce their legal rights protected by the Constitution of India. The court affirmed that since there had been a breach of their fundamental rights, they could well maintain a petition for monetary compensation.
As the legal battle continues, the families of the Carmel Convent tragedy victims remain in a state of uncertainty, grappling with their loss and injuries while the administration delays the compensation that could provide some measure of relief and support for their shattered lives.
