The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a show-cause notice to the State Chief Secretary regarding the critical injuries sustained by a student after a school gate collapsed on him on March 20, 2018 in Biramaharajpur block of Subarnapur district.

The NHRC has asked the reply to be submitted within four weeks.

The rights panel passed the order after hearing a petition filed by activist Dillip Kumar Das. The petitioner alleged that the seven–year-old boy sustained serious injuries due to the collapsing of the school boundary wall on him at Malidadar UP School of Birmaharajpur block under Subarnapur district.

The NHRC asked the Chief Secretary why an interim relief of Rs 3 lakh should not be paid as monetary compensation to the victim Biswanath Padhan. The Commission has also sent a reminder to the State School and Mass Education Secretary for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks positively, failing which coercive Process under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA) would be be initiated against him.

The commission also directed the district SP to send the details of criminal case registered in the matter along with the action taken report. The petitioner also alleged that funds were allotted for construction of the gate of the school located in a remote area. The gate was constructed by the contractor without any concrete pillar.

Taking cognizance of the petition, the Commission had called for a report from the School and Mass Education Secretary and the district SP SP.

The SP in reply stated that as per an inquiry conducted by the SDPO, the accident occurred because of faulty construction of the gate.

The school Head Master has provided Rs 60,000 for treatment of the student and the victim’s father, who is a poor man has spend Rs 2 lakh already for his treatment. The victim is coming to the school with the help of crutches. But no FIR has been registered regarding the incident, the SP said.