NHRC notice to the Government of Himachal Pradesh over reported death of school boy in district Kangra due to negligence of government school authorities. (22.05.2019)

New Delhi, 22nd May, 2019

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about the death of class VI student due to alleged delay in providing medical care to him after he was hit on the head by a fellow student in the premisis of Government Senior Secondary School, Charuri in Sukhar gram Panchayat in Nurpur, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh on the 15th May, 2019. Reportedly, the police did not take any action in the matter till on the 211st May, 2019, the local residents held a protest in front of the school against its authorities and the Gangath police for taking the incident casually.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. It has observed that the allegations of carelessness on part of the school authorities in providing the timely treatment to the victim boy, if true, amount to gross violation of human rights. The school authorities, who were the lawful custodian of the boy at the time of the incident, seem to be negligent due to which, a precious young human life was lost.

According to the media report, carried today on the 22nd May, 2019, the victim boy’s mother, a widow and resident of Ghatot village, in a complaint to the Chief Minister, DGP and SP, Kangra, has alleged that the Gangath police and the school administration were trying to hush up the case. Reportedly, before prayer, the victim was playing in the school ground, when he was attacked by a fellow student with a stick. The boy fell unconscious and his head, nose and mouth started bleeding. It is stated that the school management failed to provide him timely treatment due to which, he succumbed to his injuries. The victim was initially taken to Tanda Medical College from where he was referred to PGI Chandigarh.

It is also mentioned in the news report that when the matter was reported to the police authorities, they allegedly tried to hush up the case and the FIR was not registered despite several requests. Later, following public outcry, the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the area, reportedly rushed to the spot, met family members of the deceased and also assured a fair inquiry into the case. The DIG, Kangra has also given a statement that he has directed the Inquiry Officer to record the statement of the students.

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