A girl studying in Class 6 died on Saturday after falling from the fourth floor of a private school in Jaipur, police said. The Education Ministry team sent to investigate the incident claimed that the school management refused to cooperate.
Prima facie, the death appears to be a case of suicide and police are currently scanning CCTV footage from the premises to ascertain the sequence of events that led to the girl’s death, police said.
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The student, who was an only child, was rushed to a nearby hospital after she fell from the fourth floor of Neerja Modi School, where doctors subsequently declared her brought dead, Mansarovar SHO Lakhan Khatana told reporters.
Distressed by the teacher’s behavior
Joint Parents Association spokesperson Abhishek Jain claimed that the student took the drastic step after becoming distressed over the teacher’s behaviour, according to news agency PTI.
“We have spoken to many students. It has come to light that the girl jumped from the fourth floor after being reprimanded by the teacher. However, the school management destroyed the evidence by clearing the place,” alleged Jain.
After the tragic incident, Education Minister Madan Dilawar ordered officials to visit the school and conduct a local inquiry.
However, the team, which consists of six officials, was reportedly denied access to meet the director or management despite waiting for over an hour and a half.
“The principal or any school representative did not meet us. The main gate was locked from inside and even the staff did not respond when we knocked repeatedly,” said District Education Officer (Primary) Ram Niwas Sharma.
“We kept waiting at the gate. We tried to inform the principal, but no one came forward. Such non-cooperation will call for strict action,” Sharma said, adding that the department was considering de-recognition of the school.
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According to officials, the team reached the school around 3:00 pm but was denied entry by the staff. Police officers, including SHO Khatana, were at the spot when the education team reached there.
Forensic experts collected samples from the crime scene, the SHO added, adding that the post-mortem was conducted at Jaipuria Hospital where the girl’s parents were present.
Dilawar also said, “It seems that there were no adequate security arrangements in the school. I have asked the district education officer to submit a detailed report. If negligence is found, action will be taken.”
The school management has not yet commented on the incident.
