Nagpur: A day after a Class 8 girl student died by suicide in her room at a govt ashramshala in Gadchiroli district, state tribal development minister Ashok Uikey ordered suspension of the superintendent of the hostel at Sonsari village and directed officials to set up an inquiry and register a criminal case.
Uikey spoke to the family at Kurkheda sub-district hospital, where the girl’s body was kept before last rites, and handed over an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh and promised a job to the girl’s mother at Sonsari ashramshala. She also said the department won’t obstruct a parallel police probe.
The case is currently being investigated as an accidental death, and police will decide on further legal action after recording parents’ statements and assessing probe findings, said Gadchiroli SP M Ramesh. Additional tribal commissioner, Nagpur region, Ayushi Singh, said an inquiry was underway and the project officer was expected to submit a report soon. She said she visited the ashramshala and spoke to the superintendent and the girl’s relatives.
The minister also assured the bereaved family of quick justice and warned officials against negligence in functioning of tribal residential schools. He also directed officials to fix responsibility and take strict action against the guilty. CCTV footage will be examined to verify the parents’ allegations. Uikey also directed project officers to regularly review ashramshalas and maintain contact with school officials.
Minister Uikey’s intervention and his visit to the Sonsari ashramshala on Tuesday comes amid allegations by parents that their daughter was locked in a room and stopped from going home for Durga Puja . The girl allegedly took her life on Monday evening.