Girl dies at Madhepura’s residential school, kin allege delay in treatment

Patna: A 13-year-old girl student died after her health suddenly deteriorated at Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls' School in Gwalpara block of Madhepura district early on Monday. Her family alleged that she died due to the negligence of school authorities.

The girl, Santoshi Kumari, daughter of Bablu Sharma of Najhua ward no. 5 under Gwalpara police station, had been staying and studying at the residential school for the past two years along with her younger sister Anshu Kumari (12). Santoshi was shifted to another room two days before her death.

The school had organised a cultural programme on Sunday evening, which Santoshi attended. She returned to her room around 9.30pm. At around 3am on Monday, her roommates noticed her condition worsening and alerted the warden, who then sought medical help. Santoshi was rushed to the Gwalpara community health centre, where doctors declared her dead.

Family members alleged that the school authorities delayed providing medical assistance, leading to the girl’s death. They also questioned the decision to shift her to another room shortly before the incident.

According to police, after Santoshi’s condition deteriorated, the warden reached her room and asked other students to massage her body with oil. She was then taken on a bike, with the help of a security guard, to the health centre.

Udakishunganj SDM Pankaj Ghosh said the exact cause of death would be known after the post-mortem report that is awaited. “If the post-mortem confirms any injury or suspicious marks on the body, further action will be taken accordingly. Discussions are being held with the school management, and all persons concerned, especially the warden and responsible officials who stay on campus at night, are being interrogated,” he said.

The SDM said statements of girl students who were present in the room at the time of incident have been recorded, and a written statement from the warden has been taken. CCTV footage from the school premises has been examined and, so far, no suspicious visuals have emerged.

“The footage only shows the girl being taken to the hospital in the morning. Family members and public representatives were also shown the footage. As of now, no external incident or assault has been confirmed,” Ghosh said, adding that the case is being probed from all angles and further action would follow based on the investigation findings.