6-year-old boy dies in Ryan International School

A six-year-old boy died under mysterious circumstances after falling into a water reservoir at the Ryan International School situated in Vasant Kunj in South Delhi on Saturday afternoon. 

The class I student, Devyansh Meena was found by his teachers in the water tank after he went missing during the seventh period. The school was open only for class I students as they had their poem recitation competition in the morning, said a senior police official.

According to DCP (South) Prem Nath, police got a call at 2.40 pm from the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre where the child was declared brought dead. Based on which, the cops swung into action. The site was inspected by the District Magistrate and senior police officers.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the incident took place between 12 pm and 12.30 pm within the school premises when the child went missing. However, it was much later when the teachers while searching for him reached near the amphitheatre.

Accusing the school authorities of informing him late about his son’s death, Ramhet Meena, the father of the child, said: “I got a call at around 1.35 pm that my son has fallen sick. On asking repeatedly that what exactly happened to my child, the principal told me to keep quiet. When I shouted, she again said that it would be better for me to remain quiet. It was only when police told me that he was found in a water tank that I lost my cool.”

He also said: “How can my son reach the tank? It is situated in a place which is not possible to reach by someone. The school management is entirely responsible for his death. It is a murder. Devyansh was studying here for the past three years.”

Ramhet works as a radiographer in a government hospital while his mother, Mamta, works as a nursing staff in the ENT department in the same hospital. They live in Sultanpur area. Devyansh also has a younger sister.

The boy’s father alleged foul play on the part of the school authorities as he was informed that Devyansh had fallen sick.

“The school is saying that our child has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). How can they put the blame on our son? It is their lack of responsibility and shows poorly on how they manage students even though not many students came to school today. By putting the blame on Devyansh, the school is trying to save itself,” said Devyansh’s uncle who was consoling the child’s mother.

He questioned: “If Devyansh had ADHD, why was he admitted to the school in the first place?”

Meanwhile, despite repeated calls and texts from Millennium Post, Ryan International School’s Principal, Sandhya Sabu, was unavailable for a comment.

The six-year-old boy’s body was taken to AIIMS mortuary  and a post-mortem was conducted, following which the body was handed over to his family.

“We will carry out a detailed investigation. We are questioning the school authorities and will take action once the chain of events is ascertained,” said a senior police official.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has ordered a Magisterial inquiry in the matter.