The incharge of a residential school in Shivamogga district in Karnataka, India, has been arrested following the mysterious death of a 13-year-old girl student. The victim had fallen ill and was rushed to the hospital, where she was declared dead on June 8. The arrest follows the statements made by her friends, classmates, and her aunt. The victim’s father, a farmer from a nearby village, had enrolled her in the residential school in Sagar town with a dream of giving his daughter an education.
According to the accused, the victim developed leg pain, and gel and oil were applied to her leg, following which she was served rasam. The same rasam was eaten by the accused and all the students. On the morning of the incident, the victim did not show up to drink water, and she later vomited and claimed fatigue. She was immediately shifted to the hospital, where she was declared dead. The accused claimed that the doctors suspected it to be a case of cardiac arrest and that a post-mortem report would ascertain the exact cause of death.
However, following fresh statements, the police have booked a case under the Pocso Act and arrested the school’s head. The victim’s post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the police are awaiting reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory. The victim’s daughter’s father had enrolled her in the residential school with the hope of providing her with access to education.
The tragedy is a reminder of the need to ensure the safety and well-being of students in residential schools. It is crucial to conduct thorough investigations in such cases to ensure that justice is served and that students in residential schools are protected.
