Bengal ragging death: School failed to empathise, says REPA

The Right to Education and Protection Authority (REPA), probing the ragging incident that led to the death of a Class 5 student in a West Bengal school, in its report Wednesday blamed the school authorities for not taking complaints of ragging seriously.

The school authorities failed to "empathise" with the girl over complaints of harassment by senior students.

Eleven-year-old Oindrila Das, student of Christ Church School at Dum Dum in North 24 Parganas district, died Sep 11, a week after she was allegedly locked up inside the school toilet by senior students who demanded money from her.

"The head of the school and the authorities lacked the empathy towards the student. The attitude shown by them was not right," said REPA chairman Sadhan Kumar Gupta.

The report suggested an increase in vigilance in the institution to prevent such incidents.

"Why and how the incident occurred... the inquiry must be completed swiftly."

A day after her death, hundreds of people -- mostly parents and guardians -- ransacked the 131-year-old school, and forced principal Helen Sircar to resign.

She got bail only after spending three days in custody.