Thu Mar 13 14:00:00 UTC 2025: **14-Year-Old Dies at Ekalavya Residential School in Chhattisgarh; Negligence Suspected**
Gourela Pendram Marwahi, Chhattisgarh, March 13, 2025 – A 14-year-old ninth-grader died under suspicious circumstances at the Ekalavya Model Residential School in Lata, sparking outrage and prompting a police investigation. The boy, Shivram Singh, reportedly suffered from an illness for several days before his death, but the hostel management allegedly failed to inform his parents or provide adequate medical care.
According to the father, Rewa Singh, he learned of his son’s deteriorating health only after arriving at the hostel on March 11th. He had spoken to Shivram on March 10th, when the boy mentioned his final exam was on the 11th and hoped his father would pick him up for the upcoming Holi holidays. Upon reaching the hostel, Rewa Singh was informed by a teacher that Shivram had been unwell for several days.
Rewa Singh further stated that his son was brought to him in a critical condition, unable to speak. He criticized the hostel authorities for their lack of communication and alleged that they neither informed him of his son’s illness nor allowed Shivram to contact them. He also claimed that the watchman demanded money for the use of a phone. Another relative, Sukhdev Singh, echoed these sentiments, highlighting concerns about inadequate food and overall negligence at the hostel.
The Gourela police have registered a case and launched an investigation based on the hospital’s medical report. The police station in-charge, Naveen Bodkar, confirmed that Shivram was admitted to the district hospital and later referred to a higher center before succumbing to his illness on Wednesday afternoon. The authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, particularly the allegations of negligence by the hostel staff. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of students in residential schools.
First Piper 