Gadchiroli : Three tribal girl students have died and several others are undergoing treatment after a suspected snakebite incident at Japtalai Ashram School in Dhanora taluka of Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district exposed serious questions over hostel safety and alleged administrative negligence.
Following an inquiry into the incident, police have registered a case against Headmaster Prashant Tatpalliwar, Superintendent Bhaskar Bhoyar and Women’s Superintendent Bhagyashree Chilamwar at Dhanora Police Station.
The case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by Assistant Project Officer Dr Prabhu Sadamwar, following the findings of a four-member inquiry committee constituted by the Integrated Tribal Development Project, Gadchiroli.
Three Students Die After Snakebite Incident
The incident occurred at around 2 a.m. on August 10, when the students were sleeping inside the hostel after completing their meals and studies.
Six girls were reportedly bitten by snakes while sleeping on bedding placed directly on the floor.
Three students—Deepika Aitva Lakda, Sushmita Sarojeet Mandal and Anu Gajuram Koreti—subsequently died during treatment.
Several other students who displayed suspected snakebite symptoms were taken to Gadchiroli District Hospital for medical care.
Among those receiving treatment, Kavita Rajkumar Kirange and Samruddhi Suresh Naitam remained admitted in Gadchiroli, while Deepika Bitkurese Madavi was shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagpur for further treatment.
Inquiry Finds Alleged Administrative Lapses
The administration constituted a four-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the inquiry findings cited in the complaint, officials associated with the residential school allegedly failed to exercise the required level of care and caution, contributing to the circumstances that resulted in the deaths of the three students.
Based on the inquiry report and the complaint submitted by the Assistant Project Officer, Dhanora police registered the case in the early hours of August 12.
The police investigation will now examine the specific administrative and safety lapses that may have contributed to the incident.
Authorities may also examine whether additional individuals or officials were responsible for any failures identified during the investigation.
Case Registered Under Relevant Laws
Police have registered cases against the three school officials under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Juvenile Justice Act.
This is reportedly the first major legal action against the administration of the Japtalai Ashram School in connection with the snakebite incident.
The investigation is continuing, and the role of the accused officials will be determined through the legal process.
Questions Over Hostel Safety
The tragedy has raised serious questions about the safety and living conditions provided to students at the residential school.
The school has reportedly been operating since 1992, but allegations have emerged that students living in the hostel have still not been provided proper beds even after more than three decades.
According to the allegations, students were sleeping on bedding placed directly on the floor.
Questions have also been raised over the use of government grants provided to the institution and whether adequate funds were being utilised to provide basic facilities and maintain safe hostel conditions.
The incident has consequently brought scrutiny not only on the school management but also on officials responsible for the regular inspection and monitoring of residential Ashram schools and hostels.
Woodpile Found Near Sleeping Area
Maharashtra minister and Gadchiroli’s in-charge guardian minister Ashish Jaiswal said that he had discussed the incident with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
During an inspection of the site, officials reportedly found a large pile of wood near the area where the girls slept. Bricks were also found near a window.
Officials are examining whether the snake may have entered the hostel through this area.
The findings have intensified questions about whether the hostel environment was adequately maintained and whether potential snake-entry points and other hazards had been addressed.
Krait Snake Suspected
According to information emerging from the investigation, the snake involved in the incident was suspected to be a krait.
Krait bites can sometimes be difficult to detect immediately because the initial bite may cause relatively little pain and can resemble something as minor as an insect or ant bite.
In the Gadchiroli incident, the students reportedly realised that something was wrong only after repeated bites or symptoms caused them to wake up.
Medical experts generally consider krait bites a serious medical emergency because the venom can affect the nervous system and cause potentially life-threatening complications.
Family Demands Resignation of Tribal Development Minister
The incident has also triggered political criticism and demands for accountability.
The grandfather of one of the injured students has reportedly demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike, questioning the response of the authorities following the incident.
He also demanded substantial compensation for the families of the deceased students and criminal action against those found responsible.
Dr Ashish Koreti of Jai Seva Yuva Pratishthan also criticised the minister’s response and called for his resignation.
The demands come amid anger over the deaths of three students and allegations that basic safety facilities were lacking at the residential school.
Family Demands ₹1 Crore Compensation
The grandfather of deceased student Deepika Madavi has demanded ₹1 crore compensation for the victim’s family.
He also called for criminal cases against those responsible for the alleged negligence, arguing that the families need meaningful compensation and accountability rather than symbolic measures.
Broader Questions Over Tribal Hostel Safety
The Gadchiroli tragedy has raised broader concerns over the condition and monitoring of government-aided tribal residential schools.
The allegations that students were sleeping directly on the floor despite the institution having operated for decades have intensified scrutiny of the provision of basic facilities, hostel maintenance, safety inspections and utilisation of government funds.
The ongoing police investigation and administrative inquiry are expected to establish the exact sequence of events, identify the lapses that contributed to the tragedy and determine responsibility.
For the families of the three students who lost their lives, however, the immediate priority remains justice, accountability and adequate support for the surviving victims.
