Nursery girl crushed to death in school lift, case against management

In a tragic incident, a four-year -old girl was today crushed to death in the lift of a private school where she was studying in Dilsukhnagar area, sparking protests by her shocked family members and outraged public.

A case under IPC section for causing death by negligence has been registered against the school management, the police said.

The deceased has been identified as Syeda Xainab Fatima, a nursery student.

As per the preliminary inquiry, the incident occurred at around 9.15 a.m when a school teacher along with few students was going from ground floor to the third floor of the school.

"The girl's head got stuck on the lower side of the grilled lift and she was crushed to death," Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Zone) A Ravinder said.

"We will further investigate the matter and what are the lapses, that also will be brought on record. A thorough inquiry is underway to determine on how the incident occurred, whose mistake it is, whether that of management or the teacher accompanying the students. Stringent action will be taken against those who committed the mistake," he said.

The school has been closed for now. The District Education Officer has been summoned by the police. It will be examined whether the school management had got the necessary permission (to run the school), the DCP said.

"It is a sad incident...Definitely arrests will follow... We are verifying...There is no question of leaving anybody (responsible for the incident)," he said.

"We are further inquiring into it. Now we have received a complaint and based on it, a case under section 304A (causing death by negligence) of IPC has been registered against the school management," Malakpet police station Inspector A Ganga Reddy said.

The principal of the school has been questioned. No one has been arrested so far, the Inspector said, adding, "We will take stern action as per the law."

Earlier, the family members of the deceased and other local residents gathered in front of the school and held a protest demanding stern action against its management.