6-year-old boy found dead in water tank in private school

In a shocking incident, a six- year-old student of a prominent private school in South Delhi was found dead in a water tank under the school's amphitheatre on Saturday, triggering demands for cancellation of its licence even as Delhi government ordered a magisterial probe into the case.

The boy, identified as Divyansh Kakrora, was a class I student at Ryan International School in Vasant Kunj, police said, adding he was last seen before the seventh period, which was around 12.20 pm.

The authorities then started looking for him and after sometime he was found floating inside the pit which is used as a water storage tank. It is under the ampitheatre in the school's playground.

The school authorities then took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. It was around 2.40 pm that the hospital authorities informed the police about the matter, police said.

An FIR has been registered at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station under Section 304 (A) of IPC against unknown persons for causing death due to negligence.

"Investigation of the matter is underway and whatever legal action needs to be taken, will be taken," DCP (South) Prem Nath said.

Delhi Government has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.

"We have ordered District Magistrate of New Delhi to probe the case. I need a report to take action. The probe will find facts and fix responsibility for the child's death," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who holds the education portfolio, said.

Divyansh was also to participate in a poetry competition organised at the school on Saturday.

His parents are both paramedic staff at AIIMS, police said, adding the family lives in Sultanpur locality in south Delhi's Mehrauli area.

The boy's father termed it a conspiracy and alleged that someone from the school authority was behind the incident.

Several police teams were rushed to the spot after the incident came to light. The school authorities were questioned and a case of negligence is likely to be registered in connection with the incident, a senior official said adding how he fell into the pit is still to be ascertained.

The boy's body was later sent for postmortem examination at AIIMS, police added.

On Wednesday, a five-year-old boy died after he fell into a septic tank of a municipal corporation-run school in south west Delhi's Kapashera area, following which a case of negligence was registered.

In a letter to Sisodia, Vijwasan MLA Devinder Sehrawat said, "The parents of the students of the locality are very concerned after such an incident. I request the Delhi government to take strong action against the delinquency of the school authority. The licence of Ryan International should be cancelled.

"The swimming pool in the school that is being illegally run using DJB water should be immediately sealed. The officials, which may include personnel from DJB, should be strictly acted against."

A number of parents of children studying in the school came out openly demanding action against the school.

"The school authority must be punished," said an angry parent.

Refuting allegations against the school, Principal of Ryan International school Sandhya Sabu said the boy was a "hyperactive" child who had "tendency" of running away from the classroom.

"This child was a special child, who was hyperactive. He had the tendency of running away from the classroom. We understand what the parents are going through at this moment of loss. The allegations (on school) are absolutely wrong," she said.