Kolkata: A large number of students and parents staged a protest outside Maharishi Vidya Mandir in Bansdroni on Tuesday, demanding justice following the death of a class 3 boy. The demonstration began around 10:30 am and continued past noon. The protesters accused the school authorities of negligence that led to the death of Ayush Kumar Nath.
Political Support and Investigation
BJP Tollygunge MLA Papiya Adhikari joined the protest and assured the crowd of a fair investigation. She called for the expulsion of the current school management. A police officer noted that the post-mortem report would be crucial. “We expect the post-mortem report on Wednesday,” said a Lalbazar officer.
Sequence of Events
Ayush reportedly fell ill at school on May 13, a day before the vacation began. His father, Ashish Kumar Nath, alleged that the school, led by the child's science teacher, did not inform them about his condition and made him wait until classes ended. Police said a summons had been sent to the science teacher to join the investigation. Ashish claimed his child was asked to keep his head down for six periods and was made to sit where the sun fell on his face. After class, Ayush's friends helped him outside, but he was forced to carry his bag when he could barely stand. The father alleged that the boy fell down the stairs, resulting in severe brain haemorrhage. Ashish said the child was unconscious when he spotted him, and his teacher was slapping him to revive him. The father admitted Ayush to the hospital, where he went into a coma. He died at SSKM on Saturday.
Police Action and CCTV Footage
Ashish lodged a complaint at the Netaji Nagar Police Station, alleging that the school refused to talk to him until police visited the campus on May 21 to collect CCTV footage. Police received a complaint from the family on May 13, stating that the child fell ill at school and that the school was negligent by forcing the sick child to carry his bag down the stairs, leading to his fall. As there was no injury on the child, police initiated a case under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. CCTV footage from the school corridor and main gate showed the child going downstairs around 11:45 am after classes. An officer said the footage showed a helper holding his bag, and no image could establish the child's fall. Teachers and others whose statements were collected said he lost consciousness.
Medical Background
Police said the initial response indicated that Ayush fell ill because he had taken a lot of antibiotics. Subsequent CCTV footage showed the child walking out holding his father's hand. “We visited each of the four-five hospitals the child was taken to and learnt he had a tumour. At IRIS Hospital, we went through the CT scan. The child died on Sunday. We lodged a negligence case,” said a police officer.
School's Statement
The school issued a statement saying, “In school hours, he appeared normal and fit. But at the time of dispersal, he complained of feeling unwell. The school immediately attended to him with utmost care and concern and thereafter, handed him safely to his father, who took him home along with his brother.” The statement added that the school was ready to cooperate with the law to establish the truth and reveal the intention of those defaming them. They urged students and parents not to heed or circulate unverified information.
