NHRC notice to the Delhi Government over reported serious injuries to a student as ceiling fan falls on him in a government school. (11.07.2019)



New Delhi, 11th July, 2019

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a ceiling fan fell on a 13 year old student seriously injuring him in a government school in Trilok Puri area of Delhi on 09.07.2019. The student was attending class when the incident occurred as, reportedly, confirmed by a teacher present there. The uncle of the injured student has reportedly alleged that no teacher or the principal accompanied the boy rather two school guards took him to the hospital.

The Commission has observed that the contents of media report raise serious issue of violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi calling for a detailed report in the matter within 4 weeks. The Commission has also directed the Chief Secretary to ensure that the best treatment is provided to the injured student and the authorities concerned are sensitized to conduct a survey at all the government schools to identify and rectify such unsafe fixtures and fittings, immediately so that such incidents do not recur in future.

The Commission has further observed that the school authorities, being lawful custodian of the students, are liable to ensure their safety during school time. The incident is shocking, giving true picture of the state infrastructure and maintenance of the government run schools in Delhi. It is also disheartening, as reported in the media, that no teacher from the school accompanied the victim student who was seriously injured. Though, first aid was provided to the student in the school, it would have been proper to depute any of the teachers or regular staff of the school to ensure proper medical care to the student and to provide moral support to his family members.

According to the media reports, carried today on the 11th July, 2019, that the student, Harsh who was seriously injured with a cut on his head was provided first aid at the school and was later taken to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. The doctors at the hospital opined that the condition of the victim was serious and they referred him to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. The uncle of the victim has reportedly, stated that being a poor man, earning Rs. 9,000/- per month, he does not have sufficient money for the treatment of the boy. He has also alleged that he never got permission to go inside the school and he could not see the conditions in which children study in the school. It is further alleged by him that the principal of the school or any teacher did not even meet family members of the victim.

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