Keonjhar, July 18(OT Webdesk): In a heart-wrenching incident that has sparked outrage across Odisha, four staff members of Kerala English Medium School in Champua have been arrested following the suicide of a Class X student, Krishna Pradhan.
Krishna, 16, a resident of Chaibasa in Jharkhand, was staying at the school’s hostel when the tragedy occurred. On July 12, after attending the morning assembly, he reportedly leapt from the rooftop of the four-storey hostel building.
He was declared dead upon arrival at Champua Hospital.
Initial investigation, supported by CCTV footage, confirmed suicide. However, Krishna’s father, Sudhansu Sekhar Pradhan, alleged sustained physical and mental harassment by school authorities in his police complaint.
Acting on these claims, authorities booked and arrested four staff members under Section 108/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for abetment of suicide:
- Shashi Shekhar Jha (Teacher, 58)
- Surendra Nath Mishra (Hostel Warden, 52)
- Daitari Sahu (Hostel Supervisor, 45)
- Prakashan T (Administrative Officer, 48)
The incident triggered protests and emotional scenes at the school and hospital, with parents demanding accountability and transparency in hostel oversight. The accused were produced in court and sent to judicial custody.
