Arunachal: Postmortem report received in Sainik School student death case, investigation ongoing

Guwahati: The East Siang police have received the postmortem report of a 12-year-old student who was found dead on the campus of Sainik School in Arunachal's East Siang district on 1 November.

East Siang SP Pankaj Lamba told this daily that the PME report was received on Thursday and its findings will be shared with the family.

He added that aside from the eight children in conflict with law (CCL) who were apprehended and placed in the custody of the Sainik School vice principal for a week, no further arrests have been made so far.

Regarding demands for the arrest of school authorities over their alleged role in the student’s death, the SP said the matter is still under investigation, and no details can be disclosed publicly at this stage.

While the police have not revealed specifics about the eight detained CCLs, they are reportedly senior students who allegedly ragged the student the night before he was found dead.

A case has been registered under Sections 108/106(1)/3(5) of the BNS, following an FIR lodged by the father of the deceased.

After performing the funeral rites, the father said, “I don’t know the reason for my son’s death, and only the investigation will reveal whether he died by suicide or if it was a case of homicide. If indeed he died by suicide, the police should investigate who was responsible for pushing him to that point. If it is a homicide, then those responsible must be brought to justice. At this time, I only want justice for my son. The investigation should be fast-tracked in the best interest of everyone.”

He added that he is fully cooperating with the investigation and urged the teachers of the Sainik School to do the same.

Earlier, Miss Arunachal 2024, the elder sister of the deceased, shared a video on her Instagram page, stating that when the family went to collect her brother’s belongings, his classmates and dormitory mates revealed that on the night of 31 October, eight students from Class 10 and three from Class 8 entered the Class 7 dormitory after 11 pm, when the lights were off and no authority or warden was present, and allegedly ragged all the students.

According to her, dormitory mates told the family that the senior students had asked everyone to cover their heads with blankets, except for her brother, who was taken away.

“The boys who witnessed the incident on 31 October told us that my brother was taken alone to the Class 10 dormitory. Nobody knows what happened behind that closed door,” she said.

She added that eyewitnesses informed the family that the student was not allowed to sleep and was tortured and harassed both mentally and physically for hours inside the Class 10 dormitory.

The death of the 12-year-old has raised concerns about student safety at Sainik School, with parents seeking clarity on the circumstances.