Ranchi , July 14 : The Jharkhand Education Department has taken disciplinary action against the former warden of a Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls’ School in Giridih district after an inquiry found allegations of assault on students to be substantiated.
The action was taken against former warden Anshu Kumari of Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls’ School at Achhuatand in Sariya following an investigation into an incident in which several Class IX students were allegedly beaten on March 3 while celebrating Holi with Class XII students.
According to officials, around six students sustained injuries in the incident. The matter came to light on March 4 after reports emerged through various channels, prompting Sariya Block Development Officer (BDO) and other local officials to visit the school. The students allegedly narrated their ordeal and showed injury marks, following which they underwent medical examination and received treatment.
As the incident drew public attention, Giridih MP Chandraprakash Choudhary sought a thorough probe, while Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari also called for action against those responsible.
Acting on the directions of the Giridih Deputy Commissioner, a three-member inquiry committee headed by Sariya Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Santosh Gupta, along with Sariya BDO L.N. Tiwari and Bagodar BDO Nisha Kumari, investigated the allegations. The committee subsequently submitted its report to the Deputy Commissioner, following which the Education Department initiated disciplinary proceedings against the warden.
The department said copies of the action order have been sent to the Giridih Deputy Commissioner, the Block Education Officer, the current warden of the school and the former warden concerned.
The action comes amid growing scrutiny of conditions in Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls’ Schools in Jharkhand.
In a separate incident in West Singhbhum district, 61 Class XI students of Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls’ School in Khuntpani allegedly walked nearly 17 kilometres overnight to the Chaibasa Deputy Commissioner’s office to complain against their hostel warden.
The students alleged physical and mental harassment, inadequate food, poor hostel facilities, forced cleaning of toilets, collection of money for electricity bills and sanitation, and threats against raising complaints before visiting officials or parents.
Following the students’ complaint, the Deputy Commissioner directed the District Education Superintendent to immediately intervene and ordered a separate inquiry into the allegations. Officials said appropriate action would be taken against those found guilty after the investigation.
