Delhi government school student found with severe burn injuries on campus, dies; probe under way

A 17-year-old girl was found with severe burn injuries behind the guard room of a government school in east Delhi’s Krishna Nagar on Saturday. The Class 12 student was taken to Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan, where doctors declared her dead on arrival, the police said.

The incident came to light when school authorities heard cries coming from behind the guard room and went to check. Police said they received a PCR call at 11.57 a.m., following which personnel from Krishna Nagar police station and the fire department reached the spot.

A fire officer, Anoop Singh, said a call was received regarding a student allegedly setting herself on fire inside the school.

The girl’s family said they came to know of her death only around 12.40 p.m.

When the student did not return home by the usual time, her sister-in-law went to the school to look for her.

“No one informed me about the incident. I came to the school searching for her,” the sister-in-law said.

The girl’s sister, who had gone to drop her at school in the morning said, “I had gone to drop her at school and she looked fine. I don’t know what happened after that,” she said.

Police inspected the scene and collected samples for examination. Officials claimed they recovered a three-page note from the girl’s bag.

Police are examining CCTV footage from the school and questioning staff members, teachers and students to establish what happened before the incident.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood visited the school on Saturday evening and spoke to police officers, school authorities and nearby residents.

“The tragic death of a 17-year-old student is deeply distressing and a matter of serious concern,” Mr. Sood said, adding that the school management hashanded over all available evidence to the police.

He said the exact circumstances surrounding the girl’s death could be established only after the investigation is complete.

“Our priority is to ensure a fair and thorough investigation so that all facts related to the incident come to light,” the Minister said. “Necessary action will be taken on the basis of the investigation findings.”

(With inputs from PTI)

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