Boy dies after being punished for reaching school late

Charel had allegedly asked Milan and four other “latecomers” to run around the school’s parking lot five times. Tanna, however, collapsed midway through the five rounds and was pronounced dead at Sanjeevini Hospital before he could be admitted. Dr Vinay Bhumia of the hospital said Tanna was brought dead. Bhumia added that the boy appeared to have a “heart problem”.

Milan, who hails from Disa in Palanpur district, had come to Ahmedabad about six months ago and was staying with his maternal uncle’s family in the city, police said. While his elder sister, Kruti is an MBBS student at V S Hospital here, his younger brother, Prateek, stays with his parents.

The incident occurred at around 7.30 am on Thursday. Milan, who reached school around 7.15 am (instead of 7 am), collapsed while taking the rounds. The school authorities took him to Sanjeevini Hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead. Milan’s uncle, Jayanti Thakkar, who later filed a police complaint, said: “My nephew was perfectly healthy and was suffering from no ailment. He died because of the school’s negligence.”

Sub-Inspector S N Kharadi, who is investigating the case, said: “According to statements made by other students, Tanna collapsed after completing two rounds. We have booked Charel on charges of causing death by negligence and are waiting for the post-mortem report to ascertain the actual cause of death.”

Meanwhile, President and Managing Trustee of the school KRS Dharan said they have suspended the teacher. “The school allows no teacher to give corporal punishment,” Dharan added.