A 16-year-old student in Class 10 tragically died after falling from a building at the DVS Residential School in Chitradurga district of Karnataka on Monday morning. The event transpired around 7:14 AM, leading to the immediate hospitalisation of the student, identified as Kotresh. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the medical facility. Law enforcement officials have indicated that CCTV footage from the school’s hostel premises has captured the fall, which is currently under examination as part of an ongoing investigation. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear as authorities work to determine the exact cause of death.

Harassment Allegations

Kotresh’s father, Gurulingayya, has submitted a written complaint alleging that his son had experienced harassment by hostel wardens named Deepa and Nagaraj. According to Gurulingayya, on February 15, his son relayed concerns about this mistreatment. The father claims he approached the school principal regarding the issue, but asserts that no inquiry or action was taken. He believes the alleged harassment contributed to his son’s mental distress, for which he holds the wardens, the principal, and the school management responsible, seeking legal recourse against them.

Delayed Notification to Family

Family members of the deceased have expressed their dissatisfaction with the school’s response following the incident. They claim they were not promptly notified of Kotresh’s fall, stating that school authorities were responsible for transporting him to the hospital. This has further fueled their concerns about the overall handling of the situation by the school administration.

Police Action and Investigation

In response to the incident, a formal First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at the Bharamasagara police station. Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage and collecting statements from both school staff and students to gather more information regarding the circumstances of the fall. Police have confirmed that further inquiries are underway to ascertain the details surrounding the tragic event.

Context of Student Safety Issues

The incident in Chitradurga has raised alarm about student welfare, particularly in light of a previous case involving a nine-year-old girl named Amayra in Jaipur. She died in November after falling from the fourth floor of her school building, with her family alleging that she faced persistent bullying from classmates. Despite repeated complaints to teachers, they assert that nothing was done to address the situation. CCTV footage from that incident showed Amayra climbing onto a railing prior to her fall. Although police sources suggest preliminary findings indicate suicide, the investigation remains active, with no detailed public statements issued by the school administration.

Continuing Scrutiny of School Policies

Authorities are also scrutinising whether the area surrounding Amayra’s fall was cleaned prior to a forensic examination being conducted. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a notice to the management of Amayra’s school, citing alleged gross violations and prolonged harassment endured by the student, demanding a response within a stipulated timeframe. The recent tragedies have amplified the discourse on student safety within educational institutions across the nation.