Death of student prompts protest and inquiry

A 10-year-old girl studying at a government school in Delhi's Vinod Nagar area died while undergoing treatment last week, with her family alleging that she was punished for failing to bring a book to school, according to police sources and the family's account as reported by The Tribune and The New Indian Express.

The incident occurred at the Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya on August 27, according to police sources cited by The Tribune. The school called the girl's mother, Anjali, after her health deteriorated, the family told both outlets. Anjali alleged that when she reached the school, she found her daughter standing in the sun and in poor health. The family further alleged that the teacher had badly scolded the girl and punished her by making her stand in the sun with her hands raised, as reported by The New Indian Express.

The family told The New Indian Express that the school administration did not take the girl to a hospital and instead informed her family. She was later taken for treatment, where she died, according to both reports.

Family protests and official response

On Monday, family members and relatives gathered outside the school and staged a protest demanding strict action against the teacher, The New Indian Express reported. The Tribune also reported that family members and local residents held a protest. The family protested for around two hours, according to The New Indian Express.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood described the girl's death as a "deeply distressing and serious matter" and said an impartial inquiry was underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident, The New Indian Express reported. He said the concerned teacher had been transferred with immediate effect.

BJP MLA Ravinder Singh Negi also reached the spot and said an inquiry would be conducted and strict action would be taken against any school staff member found guilty, as reported by both The Tribune and The New Indian Express. Police sources told The Tribune that the allegations are being investigated.