As the investigations expand in the tragic Harni Lake incident, which took 17 lives on the evening of Jan 18, the district educational officer (DEO) has forewarned action against the school management and staff if they are to be found responsible for the incident in any way.

According to DEO Rakesh Vyas, all the information about the school picnic and the incident has been asked for, and a report will be sent to the collector’s office once all the data is available.

DEO Vyas also mentioned that a team from his office is constantly investigating the matter.

The DEO and school had contradictory opinions about getting permission for the trip.

According to school management, if a trip was to be planned inside Vadodara limits, there was no need for the school to seek permission from the DEO. However, Vyas was of the opinion that permission was required for such a trip, and the school management has failed to do so.

DEO Vyas also added that if the school staff is guilty of anything, punitive steps will be taken against the staff. If the school management is found responsible in any way, the DEO will approach Gandhinagar to act against the management.

On the evening of Jan 18, a boat carrying 23 students and four teachers capsized in Harni Lake, killing 15 of the children and two teachers. So far, a case has been filed against 18 individuals responsible for the management of boating in the lake with six arrests by the police.

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