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TIMES NEWS NETWORK
New Delhi: Two days after Aakriti Bhatia, a student of Modern School, Vasant Vihar, died on way to hospital following an asthmatic attack in school, her family on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the police demanding action against the school for criminal negligence.
‘‘We will question the school authorities and record their statement regarding any negligence, most probably on Thursday. We have also asked for a medical report of Aakriti,’’ said a senior officer of Vasant Vihar police station where the complaint was lodged. The cops will also look into the medical history of the victim. So far, no case has been registered and the case is at preliminary verification stage.
Meanwhile, over 300 students and parents on Wednesday staged a candlelight march outside the school.
Demanding better medical preparedness and care, students were seen putting up posters with messages like ‘we love you Aakriti’, ‘justice for Aakriti’ and ‘we want a safe and secure school’, among others. The marchers were not allowed inside the school. Child rights panel issues notice to Modern School
New Delhi: Two days after Aakriti Bhatia, a student of Modern School, Vasant Vihar, died on way to hospital following an asthmatic attack in school, a group of students from classes IX, X and XII said around 100 of them had approached the principal, Goldy Malhotra, at her office on Wednesday morning seeking to get a clear picture on Aakriti’s death. They also inquired about the evening march.
‘‘However, the principal asked us to gather at the auditorium where she asked us not to speak on the issue and said that students interacting with the media will be rusticated,’’ said a student of Class XII.
Despite repeated attempts, the principal could not be reached and the school security denied entry to the media.
The school had barred its teachers and administrative staff from participating in the march, but parents and students from neighbouring schools joined in. A classmate of Aakriti said: ‘‘The principal has asked teachers not to be present and directed guards to close the gates to prevent anyone from entering the campus.’’
Taking suo moto cognizance of the incident, Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) on Wednesday issued notices to the school, education secretary and education director on the matter. DCPCR chairman Amod K Kanth said: ‘‘We have sent a notice to the school on its medical preparedness and have asked the principal to reply within seven days. We have also sent notices to the secretary education and director education of Delhi government asking for an inquiry on the matter. We have also asked the local police to investigate into the allegations.’’
The Directorate of Education (DoE), too, has constituted an internal inquiry. Chandra Bhusan Kumar, director, DoE, said: ‘‘We have asked for an internal report from the school within three days.’’