The death of a 10-year-old girl from a government school in East Delhi’s Vinod Nagar has triggered outrage and raised questions over school discipline after her family alleged that she was subjected to harsh punishment for forgetting to bring a book.
The girl, a student at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, died during treatment on August 27. Her family has alleged that she was made to stand at the back of the classroom with her hand raised as punishment and later collapsed.
Family alleges harsh punishment
According to the girl’s family, she had left home in the morning for school. Later, the teacher contacted the family, initially asking them to bring a change of clothes after the child reportedly soiled her uniform.
The family said they were subsequently asked to take her home after her condition deteriorated.
When her grandparents reached the school, they allegedly found the girl unconscious in an open area. After regaining consciousness, she reportedly told them that she had forgotten to bring a book and had been reprimanded and made to stand at the back of the class with one hand raised.
The family further alleged that after the other students and teacher left the classroom, the girl was locked inside. She reportedly banged on the door and asked to be let out before the teacher later found her collapsed.
These allegations are currently under investigation and have not been independently established.
Medical history adds another dimension
The circumstances surrounding the girl's death have also come under medical scrutiny.
Officials at IHBAS, where the girl was receiving treatment, said she had been diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and had been undergoing treatment for around six months following consultation at AIIMS.
SSPE is a rare, progressive neurological condition associated with persistent measles-virus infection and has a very high mortality rate. Hospital officials said the child's condition eventually deteriorated and she died on August 27.
Her family said she had previously been diagnosed with a neurological condition but did not approach police earlier because they hoped she would recover and explain what had happened.
Family protests outside school
Following the death, the girl's relatives and local residents staged a protest outside the school, demanding accountability and strict action against anyone found responsible.
The family's allegations have led to increased public scrutiny of the school's handling of the incident and the response after the child's health reportedly deteriorated.
Delhi government orders impartial inquiry
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announced an impartial inquiry into the incident.
The government has also transferred the concerned teacher with immediate effect, pending the investigation, to ensure that the inquiry is conducted without interference. Sood said strict action would follow if the investigation establishes negligence, dereliction of duty or any other lapse.
The Delhi government has additionally announced a pilot programme to establish dedicated medical rooms in 100 government schools, with first-aid facilities, basic health support and counselling. The initiative is expected to be expanded to 1,086 schools after evaluation of the pilot programme.
Investigation to establish what happened
The case has brought renewed attention to the need for safe and appropriate disciplinary practices in schools.
While the girl's family has linked her deterioration to the alleged punishment, medical authorities have pointed to her pre-existing neurological illness. The ongoing inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine whether there was any negligence or lapse in the school's response.
