The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has initiated a formal investigation into the tragic death of a tribal student from Keonjhar at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar. The commission acted on its own motion, taking suo motu cognisance of the incident on Monday.
Contradictory Claims Spark Official Inquiry
OSCPCR chairperson Babita Patro confirmed the probe, stating the decision followed allegations from the deceased child's family. The family has raised serious doubts about the circumstances, suggesting the death may be suspicious and not merely the result of a fall as claimed by the KISS authorities.
"Since family members of the deceased have alleged that their child may have died under suspicious circumstances and not by falling, as claimed by KISS authorities, the child rights panel wants to inquire into the real reason behind the death," Patro explained.
Sequence of Events and Official Reports Sought
According to the institution's initial account, the student suffered a broken leg after a fall in a bathroom last Friday and was subsequently admitted to the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). However, a tragic turn of events unfolded when the boy's father arrived at the hospital the following day, only to find his son had passed away.
The medical authorities at KIMS attributed the cause of death to cardiac arrest. To ascertain the complete factual matrix, the OSCPCR has formally sought detailed reports from multiple parties involved:
- The KISS institution administration.
- The treating doctors at KIMS hospital.
- The police officers investigating the case.
Awaiting Clarity on the Tragic Incident
Chairperson Patro emphasized that the commission's findings will depend on the information gathered from all concerned stakeholders. "Only after getting reports from all the people concerned, will we be in a position to ascertain what led to the child’s death," she stated, underscoring the methodical approach of the child rights body.
The case has drawn significant attention to the welfare and safety of tribal students in residential institutions. The OSCPCR's proactive intervention highlights its mandate to protect child rights and ensure transparent investigation into any incident involving the well-being of children in Odisha.
