Boy falls to death from Karnataka school building, father alleges harassment

A 16-year-old Class 10 student died after falling from a school building at DVS Residential School in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district on Monday morning. The incident occurred at around 7.14 am. The student, identified as Kotresh, was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival. CCTV footage from the hostel premises has captured the entire episode, police said.

According to preliminary information, the circumstances leading to the fall are under investigation. The case has been registered at Bharamasagara police station, and officials said the exact cause of death is yet to be established.

In a written complaint, the student’s father, Gurulingayya, alleged that his son had informed him a day earlier — on February 15 — about harassment by hostel wardens identified as Deepa and Nagaraj. He claimed that he had brought the matter to the attention of the school principal but that no enquiry or action was initiated.

The father has alleged that his son was under mental distress due to the purported harassment and has held the wardens, the principal and the school management responsible for the death, seeking legal action against them.

Family members further claimed they were not immediately informed about the incident and that the student was shifted to hospital by the school authorities.

Police said a formal FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway, including examination of CCTV footage and statements from school staff and students.

JAIPUR STUDENT SUICIDE CASE

The Chitradurga incident comes amid heightened national concern over student safety following the death of nine-year-old Amayra in Jaipur in November last year.

Amayra died after jumping from the fourth floor of a private school building in Rajasthan’s capital. Her family has alleged that she had been subjected to bullying by classmates for nearly a year and that teachers failed to act despite repeated complaints.

“She had complained multiple times to the teacher. Her parents had also complained multiple times,” a close relative told India Today, alleging that a group of students had been harassing her and that the issue remained unaddressed for months.

CCTV footage captured the child climbing onto a railing before the fall from a height of about 48 feet. She was rushed to hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

Family members have questioned what transpired in the classroom shortly before the incident. Police sources said preliminary findings indicate suicide, though the investigation is ongoing, and the school administration has not issued a detailed public statement.

Authorities are also examining allegations that the area where the girl fell was cleaned before a forensic examination could be conducted. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also issued a notice to the school management over alleged “gross violations” and prolonged harassment of the student, seeking a response within 30 days.

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