Family told South First that the school authorities assured care on Sunday but failed to even inform the parents when the child’s condition worsened. She collapsed on Tuesday.
Published Feb 29, 2024 | 2:42 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 29, 2024 | 2:42 PM
Student death due to fever. (iStock)
A 13-year-old student, Thodasam Maheshwari, of the Mamidiguda Residential Ashram School, in Adilabad, allegedly died while undergoing treatment for viral fever at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad on the night of Tuesday, 27 February.
Thodasam Maheshwari, studying in seventh-class comes from a tribal community.
Maheshwari’s kin staged a protest in front of the hospital alleging neglect from the school administration and demanded the suspension of the headmaster.
They further asked the officials to scrutinize the situation of the Aashram schools and take prompt action.
Syed Mujahid, SI of Adilabad Rural Police speaking with South First said that a case was booked under IPC 304 (A) (Causing death by negligence). He added that headmaster Ashok has not yet been arrested and the case is under investigation.
According to the Tribal Welfare Department, Adilabad Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jeevan Reddy and Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Deputy Director Dileep Kumar visited the hospital.
They assured the parents, and relatives that they would take measures to address the situation.
Maheshwari’s uncle, M Laxman, narrated the timeline of the events to South First: “On Sunday, 25 February, the child’s father visited the Aashram school and was assured by the headmaster that the child was in good health. He was informed that if she fell ill, they would promptly take her to the hospital and inform the parents.”
He said, “Upon not receiving any information till Tuesday, 27 February, the father visited the Aashram with food for his daughter. To his dismay, he found that the child had not eaten and was suffering from a fever.”
Laxman adds: “He immediately took her with him, and just as they were walking outside the Aashram, she collapsed. As the father did not have a phone, he sought help from passersbys and rushed her to the nearby RIMS hospital, where she passed away.”
Laxman expressed concern over the lack of health reports being provided to them. He further said that the illiteracy of the parents makes it challenging for them to navigate the situation.
He questioned how the ANM (Auxiliary Nursing Midwives) or the educated headmaster could overlook the child’s condition.
Laxman also speaks of allegations from other students regarding the headmaster’s habitual drinking habits.
He demanded immediate suspension and completion of the pending investigation.
South First approached the Tribal Welfare Department on whether action had been initiated against the headmaster and also reached out to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad regarding what fever Maheshwari suffered from.
The story will be updated once they respond.
