Teacher Found Dead in Barabanki School Room
A tragic incident unfolded in Barabanki district on Saturday morning. School staff discovered the body of a 40-year-old government teacher hanging from a ceiling fan. The discovery took place inside the headmaster's room at Composite School in Udhavapur village.
The village falls under the Harakh block area. The deceased teacher has been identified as Uma Verma. School employees found her at approximately 11:45 AM.
Conflicting Narratives Emerge
The death has sparked immediate controversy. Family members of the deceased teacher are making serious allegations. They claim Uma Verma faced persistent workplace harassment.
Her husband, Rishi Verma, spoke about their last conversation. He said he talked to his wife on the phone around 10 AM. During that call, she did not mention anything unusual or distressing.
However, Rishi Verma stated his wife had confided in him earlier. She told him the school headmaster and some colleagues frequently troubled her. They allegedly passed inappropriate comments, creating a hostile environment.
Uma Verma's brother, Shivkant, provided more details. He accused the headmaster and two assistant teachers of systematic mental harassment. This harassment reportedly continued for three years.
Shivkant linked this alleged mistreatment to his sister's declining health. He said the constant stress caused her health to deteriorate significantly. It eventually pushed her into a state of depression.
The family revealed she was receiving professional treatment. Uma Verma was under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Sandeep Buddhwar in Barabanki for her depression.
Colleagues Present a Different Account
Fellow teachers at the school offered a contrasting perspective. They maintained that Uma Verma had been unwell for a long time. They stated she suffered from both physical illness and depression for several years.
These colleagues emphasized there was no recent conflict at the school. They denied any ongoing harassment or dispute involving the deceased teacher.
Education officials conducted a preliminary inquiry. Basic Shiksha Adhikari Naveen Pathak and Block Education Officer Ashwani Kumar Singh looked into the matter.
Officer Ashwani Kumar Singh shared their initial findings. "Our inquiry shows Uma never submitted any formal complaint about harassment," Singh said. He confirmed she had been undergoing treatment for depression for many years.
Singh added a poignant detail from Saturday. "Even on the day of the incident, she spoke about her illness at the school," he noted.
Police Investigation Underway
Local police responded quickly to the scene. They reached the school after receiving information about the death. Officers secured the area and initiated standard procedures.
The body was sent for a post-mortem examination. This medical procedure aims to determine the exact cause of death. Police officials stated their next steps depend on the autopsy results.
They also await a formal complaint from the family. Legal action will proceed based on these two factors. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Uma Verma resided in Jalalpur, under the Kotwalinagar police station jurisdiction. Her husband, Rishi Verma, works as an assistant teacher himself. He is posted at a school in Tedwa village within the Siddhaur block.
The community in Barabanki is now grappling with this sudden loss. The conflicting stories have created a complex situation for authorities. They must carefully investigate both the harassment allegations and the history of illness.
