Seventh Day Adventist School murder: Principal, management booked for failing to inform police, parents

The investigation into the murder of a Class 10 student outside Seventh Day Adventist School in Khokhra has widened, with the Detection of Crime Branch on Friday registering a case against the school’s principal and management for failing to promptly alert the police or the victim’s family after the incident.

Case filed against principal and management

The action follows a written complaint by the victim’s father, who alleged that there was an inordinate delay in informing authorities. The Commissioner of Police had earlier transferred the probe to the Crime Branch for a detailed investigation.

According to investigators, Principal Dr G Immanuel and three teachers were among the first to be informed about the stabbing. The probe has revealed ‘serious negligence’ on the part of the school authorities, who neither provided immediate medical assistance nor informed the police or the family promptly.

Negligence revealed during initial probe

“Around 45 statements have been recorded so far. In their depositions, staff members have been blaming one another, but no one stepped forward to help the injured boy. The CCTV footage corroborates this,” a senior officer said.

The incident took place on August 19, between 12.30 pm and 12.45 pm, when the victim, a minor, was attacked with a box knife near the Meladi Mata temple opposite the school. The accused, also a minor and reportedly a cousin of another student, fled in his school van and later returned home without disclosing anything. He even went ahead with his tuition classes the same evening, police said.

Delay in medical assistance and police intimation

Investigators said the injured boy, who was wearing a yellow t-shirt (uniform for one of the school houses), managed to walk back into the school through a side gate holding his wound and remained on the premises with his injuries. When the security guard saw him, he questioned him and alerted the management, but despite this, no first aid or immediate medical assistance was arranged for nearly 37 minutes.

“It was only when his mother arrived to pick him that she discovered his condition. She took him to Sardar Patel Hospital in an autorickshaw, from where he was shifted to LG Hospital. He succumbed during treatment,” a senior Crime Branch officer said.

Timeline of the incident

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Bharat Patel said, “The school’s principal and management did not inform the police, the Education Department, ambulance or even the family in time. Based on the victim’s father’s complaint, an offence has been registered. We have also questioned staff, parents and students, and secured the CCTV footage.”

Police records show that LG Hospital notified the police nearly 50 minutes after the stabbing. This delay, officials said, has become a critical aspect of the investigation.

Juvenile accused detained

The juvenile accused has since been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and remanded to a correctional facility. The Crime Branch continues to examine CCTV footage and record statements as part of its inquiry.