he magisterial probe into the death of Ryan International School student Divyansh Kakrora (6) indicates towards “lapse” on the part of the school authorities.
According to the report, Divyansh was first spotted in the water reservoir by a school staff, but he did not try to rescue him. Instead, there was deliberation and discussion between the swimming coach, teachers, game instructor and gardeners as to who will take him out. When no one agreed, a Class XI student agreed to jump in and get Divyansh’s body out.
“The ‘deliberate’ inaction of Ryan International School authorities that amounts to ‘gross criminal negligence’ led to the death of the child,” the report produced by SDM Sonal Swaroop has said. It slammed the authorities for “insinuating” him to be special kid.
Resonating Divyansh’s father’s views on how the child managed to reach the tank. The report mentioned: “It seems incomprehensible that a Class I child can go all the way from his class on his own to a secluded area beneath the amphitheatre which is dark, dingy, full of electric wires and jump in a water tank on his own accord. Striking part is all this happens while he remains unspotted.”
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has also slammed the school authorities on the basis of the report’s findings.
He said that the report raises a “lot of questions” as to how the school could be so “careless”. “The government is studying its contents and would take appropriate action,” he said. “The time that elapsed due to deliberate inaction by the school staff in rescuing Divyansh amounts to gross criminal negligence. Had the time essentially wasted in discussion, calling for a particular person and denial, been utilised in rescuing the drowned child it would have been pivotal in saving his life,” the report has observed.
The report also recommended that there should be an evaluation of structural and safety aspect of entire school premise in a comprehensive manner carried out by MCD, PWD, fire departments and other stakeholders.
Divyansh was found dead last Saturday, in the reservoir under the amphitheatre of the school located in South Delhi.
The initial post-mortem report suggested he died of drowning and no external injuries were found, police had said.
According to the report, ‘deliberate’ inaction of school authorities led to the child’s death
