‘Unnatural death’ of Class IX girl: Delhi govt orders magisterial inquiry

An official said, “When the pain did not subside, the girl’s parents took her to a local doctor who administered glucose. But when her condition continued to worsen, she was shifted to Hindu Rao Hospital where she died Sunday.”

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, “An inquiry by the sub-divisional magistrate of Saraswati Vihar has been ordered to look into the death of the girl.”

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An officer said while no complaint has been received so far, police are treating it as a case of unnatural death and have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of CrPC. The body was sent for a post-mortem at Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital and the report is awaited, he added.

DCP (northwest) Vijay Singh said, “The body has been handed over to the family. Investigation is on and doctors have preserved viscera. The post-mortem report will determine the exact cause of death.” According to police, no external injury marks were found on the body.

Meanwhile, initial investigation had revealed that the girl had a bet with a friend, and allegedly consumed around 12 tablets. Police are looking into how she got hold of so many tablets. The girl’s parents also accused the school administration of negligence.

Deputy Director of Education, northwest district, Shashibala Saini said the department is looking into the incident. “We only received reports late Monday evening. A team from the Directorate will go to the school Tuesday to investigate the incident,” she said. Saini added that the SDM will also inspect the school Tuesday.

Sources said nearly two years ago, as many as 10 children fell ill in the school after they were given the same tablet.

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