Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur

Jaipur, Aug 14: Jaipur Police have registered an FIR after a 17-year-old Class 12 student allegedly died after consuming patties at his school's canteen, with his family accusing the school authorities of negligence.

The FIR was lodged on a complaint by Amit Soni, whose son Prince studied at Maharana Pratap School in Jhotwara.

According to the complaint, the incident occurred around 10.58 am on Wednesday after Prince ate patties during lunchtime. His health reportedly deteriorated and he was kept in the school's rest room from 11.04 am to 11.42 am.

The complaint states that CCTV footage showed the teenager vomiting before becoming unconscious.

Amit alleged that the death was suspicious and accused the school authorities of failing to provide timely medical assistance. He pointed out that a hospital was located directly opposite the school and claimed that his son could have been saved had he been taken there immediately or had an ambulance been called.

He also alleged that the school principal was present in his office but did not attend to the student. Amit claimed the school had neither a medical room nor adequate first-aid facilities.

He further alleged that the school administration deliberately delayed taking his son to hospital and demanded that CCTV footage and food samples from the canteen be collected as part of the investigation.

The FIR has been registered under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to causing death by negligence, at Jhotwara police station.

Sub-inspector Kamlesh Kumar Saini, who is investigating the case, said a post-mortem examination had been conducted and further clarity would emerge after the report is received.

"We are questioning people, but there have been no arrests so far. The school said that the child's health deteriorated and they informed the parents," Saini said.

Prince's mother, Nirmala Soni, said her son had left for school at around 7.30 am and was in good health. She said she had prepared his favourite daliya for breakfast that morning.

Nirmala said she received a call from her husband informing her that Prince was unwell and asking her to go to the school. She said Amit had been advised to arrange a four-wheeler rather than a two-wheeler, following which he arranged a vehicle for her.

Amit, who was away at the time, said he asked his wife to go to the school. He alleged that the school did not initially tell him that his son had fainted and that he learnt about it only during the third or fourth phone call.

Nirmala alleged that school staff did not provide adequate assistance when she arrived and that she had to seek directions from students before reaching her son.

She said Prince's hands and body felt cold and his face was pale when she finally reached him. She questioned why the school had waited for her instead of taking him to a doctor, claiming that two vehicles were available on the school premises.

Nirmala also alleged that she was asked to leave through a different gate rather than the main entrance so that the vehicle could be brought there.

She said Prince normally ate a substantial meal at home, did not usually carry a tiffin to school and rarely ate from the school canteen.

The school authorities have not responded to calls seeking their comment on the allegations.

A candle march was held in Jaipur on Friday, with the Sanyukt Abhibhavak Sangh demanding justice for the teenager and alleging that he had been served stale food.

Police are continuing their investigation, and the post-mortem and other reports are expected to provide further clarity on the cause of death.