Nagpur Boy Accidentally Locked Overnight in School Classroom Sparks Panic
A four-year-old boy in Nagpur experienced a terrifying ordeal when he was accidentally locked overnight inside his school classroom, creating widespread panic among his family members and prompting an extensive police search operation across the city.
Child Wanders Into Classroom During Playtime
Himanshu Bagde, who resides just half a kilometre from the school in Nagpur's Khaparkheda area, had wandered into the classroom while playing on Wednesday afternoon. According to reports by Soumitra Bose, the young boy entered the classroom completely unaware that school staff would later lock the premises without conducting a thorough check of all rooms.
Massive Police Search Operation Launched
When Himanshu failed to return home, his father immediately filed a missing person complaint with local authorities. The police responded by launching a comprehensive search operation involving multiple teams that scoured various locations throughout Nagpur city. Despite their extensive efforts, the boy remained untraceable throughout the night, increasing anxiety among family members and search teams.
Lucky Discovery During School Holiday
The breakthrough in the case came around 10am on Thursday when school staff visited the premises. It was a school holiday, and staff members had come specifically to oversee some ongoing construction work at the institution. When they checked the locked classroom, they discovered Himanshu sleeping peacefully inside.
The boy was immediately reunited with his relieved parents, bringing an end to the harrowing experience. This incident proved to be a particularly lucky escape for the young child, as the school was officially closed for holidays, and staff only visited the premises for construction supervision purposes.
Safety Concerns Raised About School Procedures
This alarming incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols and checking procedures at educational institutions. The fact that a child could be locked inside a classroom overnight without anyone noticing highlights potential gaps in security measures that need immediate attention from school authorities and local education departments.
The Nagpur police have documented the entire incident, and while the boy was fortunately found safe and unharmed, the episode serves as a crucial reminder about the importance of thorough room checks before locking educational facilities, especially when children are known to play in the vicinity.
