10-year-old dies after allegedly being made to stand in sun at Govt school
A 10-year-old girl studying at a Government school in east Delhi’s Vinod Nagar died last week during treatment. The family of the child alleged that she had been punished by a teacher for not bringing a book to school, forcing her to stand out in the sun, police sources said on Monday.
Commenting on the matter, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said that an inquiry is currently underway into the tragic death of the student at the school in East Vinod Nagar.
“Pending the completion of the inquiry, the concerned teacher has been transferred with immediate effect to ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly and without any interference. The Government is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity. If the inquiry establishes any negligence, dereliction of duty, or irregularity at any level, strict and decisive action will be taken against those found responsible, in accordance with the law,” he said.
According to police sources, the incident occurred at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya on August 27. The school contacted the girl’s mother, identified as Anjali, after her daughter’s health deteriorated during the day. The mother of the child alleged that when she reached the school, she found her daughter standing outside in the sun and visibly unwell. The family has alleged that a teacher had punished the girl for not bringing a book to class that day.
The girl was subsequently taken to a hospital, where she died during treatment on August 27, according to the police source. Following her death, family members and local residents held a protest outside the school, demanding strict action against those found responsible for the incident. BJP MLA Ravinder Singh Negi visited the school after the protest and said an inquiry would be conducted into the matter, adding that strict action would be taken against any school staff member found guilty of wrongdoing. Police said the allegations made by the family are currently being investigated.
The police source did not specify what medical condition led to the girl’s death, nor has an official cause of death been confirmed pending further investigation. It also remains unclear whether any specific teacher or staff member has been formally named or questioned by police in connection with the incident so far.
Police have not indicated whether a formal FIR has been registered in the matter, or under what specific legal provisions the investigation is currently proceeding. The Directorate of Education has not yet issued a public statement on the incident or on the inquiry referred to by the local MLA.
Further details, including the findings of any inquiry ordered by education authorities or a post-mortem examination report, are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
