Bengaluru: Class 6 student dies at residential school; family alleges punishment, police probe ongoing
A 12-year-old student of a private residential school in north Bengaluru died on July 8, prompting an investigation by the police and education department. The boy, identified as Guru Kiran, was a Class 6 student at Sterling English Residential School in Kadayarappanahalli, Bengaluru North taluk.
According to the family, the school informed them on July 8 morning that the boy had fallen ill and was taken to a hospital. By the time the parents arrived, the boy had died. The family has alleged that the death was a result of harsh punishment by a teacher. The boy’s uncle, Mallikarjuna, told media that the teacher slapped the boy and made him jog three rounds on the ground. During the third round, the boy collapsed, he alleged. The family claims a schoolmate reported that the boy was slapped on the neck by a physical education teacher after being woken up at 5 a.m., and then made to run.
The family further alleged that the school failed to provide CCTV footage, claiming the cameras were out of order. They demanded a thorough investigation. When contacted, the school management did not respond to requests for comment.
The Department of Public Instruction conducted an inspection and registered an FIR. Deputy Director Anjanappa said all 115 hostel students were sent home, and a detailed inspection will be conducted on July 9. The teacher was taken in for questioning, with tension outside the police station as family members protested. Police intervened to maintain order.
Police are questioning staff and awaiting the post-mortem report to determine the cause of death. Deputy Commissioner of Police Mithun Kumar G. K. assured a thorough investigation and said the family has been asked to provide a written statement. Legal action will follow based on medical opinion and investigation findings.
