The Delhi High Court has cleared the chairman and a teacher of a private school in East Delhi of all charges related to the 2012 death of a 12-year-old student who tragically fell from the second floor of the school building. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna ruled that the incident was a pure accident and that no negligence or recklessness could be attributed to the chairman, Nawab Singh Bhati, or the teacher, Asha Budhani.
The incident occurred on January 24, 2012, at Rishabh Public School located in Mayur Vihar. The student, identified as Varun, was leaning over the railing when he lost his balance and fell. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Varun succumbed to his injuries. An FIR was subsequently filed at Pandav Nagar police station, leading to a charge sheet against Bhati and Budhani.
In court, the defense for both the chairman and the teacher argued that there was no evidence to suggest their clients’ actions or inactions contributed to the student’s death. The high court’s decision came after reviewing the circumstances of the fall, noting that it occurred as Varun attempted to adjust his heavy bag on his shoulder, causing him to lose his balance.
Justice Krishna emphasized the unfortunate nature of the accident and acknowledged the profound grief of Varun’s parents. However, she concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish culpability on the part of Bhati and Budhani. The high court thereby set aside the trial court’s October 2023 decision to frame charges against the duo, allowing their petition to overturn the subordinate court’s findings.
