RAIPUR: A Class 9 girl studying at a private school in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district was found dead in the school’s hostel premises on Sunday, in a case that has taken a grim turn with allegations of sexual harassment against the principal.
Police said they have recovered a handwritten note from the scene and taken the principal into custody after arrest, while a detailed investigation is underway under relevant legal provisions.According to preliminary information, the minor student, who lived in the hostel attached to the school in the Bagicha region, allegedly took her life in the hostel study room when other students were outside.
The incident triggered panic in the campus and nearby villages. Police rushed to the spot after being alerted by staff and residents, conducted a panchnama, and sent the body for post-mortem examination.
Superintendent of Police Shashi Mohan Singh said a note was recovered from the site, in which the student reportedly described repeated harassment and “bad touch” by the school principal.
Based on the contents of the note and initial statements, Bagicha police detained the principal and began formal questioning.
He said further action will follow after verification of facts and medical and forensic inputs.Police are also examining allegations that the hostel was being run without mandatory authorization for the the school.
Local sources claimed the residential facility for students in the remote area did not have formal permission from authorities, a point now being probed by the district administration and the district education officer Pramod Bhatnagar.
The school is reportedly operated by a local committee, and the girl hailed from a nearby region, staying in the hostel to continue her education.
Her family members reached the school soon after the incident and their statement was being recorded as part of the inquiry.
Police said the case is being investigated from all angles, including the chain of events leading up to the death, hostel conditions, staff conduct, and any prior complaints. The principal remains in custody and could face charges under stringent child protection laws if the allegations are substantiated.
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Rashmi is a Special Correspondent with The Times of India in Chha...
Read MoreRashmi is a Special Correspondent with The Times of India in Chhattisgarh. She covers Politics, Left Wing Extremism, Crime and Human Rights among other areas of news value.
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