Panel raises doubts on functioning of ashram shalas

While hearing a case of an ashram shalas in Thane district,where a 12-year-old girl died under ‘mysterious circumstances’ on November 24,the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) on Tuesday,raised a question on the functioning of ashram shalas in the state. They said ashram shalas across the state need to be checked thoroughly by the state government.

The commission,during the hearing also said that it will write to the state government asking them to set up teams to inspect all these ashram shalas regularly.

The girl was a student of class VI in Arvind ashram shala in Dahade village.

While the family of the deceased girl said they suspect foul play,especially considering the circumstances in which she was found when she was taken to the rural hospital — about 12 km from the hostel,the hostel authorities said that the girl was not well for a few days. The girl’s father blamed the hostel authorities for his daughter’s death.

dipti.sonawala@expressindia.com