A Class 11 student died after falling from the third floor of her school in Faridabad on September 1, with her family alleging that she had been made to stand for around four hours as punishment following a dispute involving biryani.
The school has denied that the student was punished, saying she left the classroom after asking for permission to use the washroom and later reached the third floor.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, including the conflicting accounts of what happened inside the school before the incident.
What Happened At The Faridabad School?
The incident took place at Navodaya Vidya Niketan Senior Secondary School on Ghazipur Road in Faridabad's Dabua area.
According to the student's parents, there had been a quarrel among students over biryani. The family said their daughter was not involved in the argument.
The parents alleged that the student had gone out to eat biryani without informing anyone and was subsequently scolded by a teacher.
Her father further alleged that she was made to stand outside the classroom for around four hours as punishment. He told reporters that he spoke to other students after the incident and was told that his daughter had been made to stand for several hours.
NDTV reported the family's allegation that she had been made to stand in the sun for about four hours. Her father said the punishment left her humiliated and distressed.
The allegations have not been independently established, and the school has denied that the student was punished.
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What Happened Before The Student’s Death?
According to police and multiple reports, the student later went towards the third floor of the school building.
The incident took place at around 1pm, after classes had ended and students were leaving the school. She reportedly reached the third-floor terrace and fell from the building.
School staff took her to a nearby private hospital. She was subsequently referred to BK Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Her family has alleged that the events earlier in the day left her distressed. Police have not established that the alleged punishment caused her death and are investigating the sequence of events.
What Does The School Say?
The school has given a different account of what happened.
Principal R K Sharma denied that the student had been punished. He said she had asked for permission to go to the washroom and then left the classroom.
According to the principal, she subsequently reached the third floor of the school building.
The school's account differs from the family's allegation that the student was punished for several hours. Police are examining both versions as part of their investigation.
What Did The Police Say?
Dabua police station SHO Inspector Sumer Singh said police received information after the student fell from the third floor.
In a statement to ANI, Singh said police had received information that a Class 11 student had fallen from the third floor and died. He said the body had been brought to the police station and that further investigation was underway.
The SHO also said that no complaint had been received at that point.
Singh said the reason behind the incident was not clear and that nothing specific had emerged at that stage. Police were examining the sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the student's death.
He said every aspect of the incident was being examined and that the investigation would establish what led to the incident and whether anyone was responsible.
Police are gathering information from the school management, teachers, the student's family and others connected with the incident.
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What Does The Case Raise About School Discipline?
The case has also raised questions about how schools handle disciplinary issues involving students.
The Right to Education Act prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment of children, while National Commission for Protection of Child Rights guidelines encourage schools to adopt positive and alternative approaches to discipline.
Schools are responsible for maintaining discipline while also ensuring that students are treated with dignity and provided a safe environment.
In Faridabad, however, the specific circumstances surrounding the student's death remain under investigation. The family's allegation of punishment and the school's denial are both being examined by police.
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Child And Adolescent Mental Health Support
India recorded 11,184 suicides among children below 18 in 2024, according to National Crime Records Bureau data.
The figure covers deaths attributed to a range of reported circumstances and does not establish a single cause for child suicides.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of self-harm, the Government of India's Tele-MANAS provides free, 24-hour mental-health support at 14416 or 1800-89-14416.
If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services or go to the nearest hospital.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
What happened in Faridabad?
A Class 11 student died after falling from the third floor of her school in Dabua on September 1.
What was the dispute about?
The student's parents said there had been a quarrel among students over biryani. They alleged that their daughter had gone out to eat biryani without informing anyone and was subsequently scolded by a teacher.
What punishment did the family allege?
Her father alleged that a teacher made her stand outside the classroom for around four hours, including in the sun.
What does the school say?
Principal R K Sharma denied that the student was punished. He said she had asked to go to the washroom before leaving the classroom and later reaching the third floor.
What is the police investigating?
Police are examining what happened inside the school before the student's death, including the conflicting accounts about the alleged punishment. The police have said the reason behind the incident was not clear at the time of their statement.
