A 14-year-old Class 8 student collapsed inside his classroom while appearing for an examination at a private English-medium school in Kodalia under the jurisdiction of Sonarpur Police Station on Wednesday morning. He was later declared dead at hospital.
The deceased, identified as Prithwiraj Haldar, a resident of Subhasgram, had reached The Summit School at around 8.30 am to appear for his second language examination scheduled at 9 am. According to school authorities, he suddenly lost consciousness around 8.40 am while seated in the classroom.
Teachers attempted to revive him and immediately transported him in an auto-rickshaw to Sonarpur Rural Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Allegations of negligence surface
The tragic incident triggered allegations of negligence by the boy’s father, Rajkumar Haldar, who claimed the school lacked a sick room and immediate medical support.
“My son had no known health issue. He left home in good health,” he said, expressing anguish and confusion over the sudden loss.
Prithwiraj’s twin brother, who studies in the same school, was appearing for his examination in a different hall at the time.
Police have registered an unnatural death case and initiated an investigation. Officer-in-charge Asis Das visited the school to gather details regarding the absence of medical facilities and ambulance services on campus. No formal complaint had been lodged till Wednesday evening.
Cause of death yet to be confirmed
Investigators stated that no CCTV cameras were installed inside the classroom, making it difficult to reconstruct the exact sequence of events. However, no foul play has been suspected so far.
Preliminary suspicion points towards a possible cardiac arrest, though officials emphasised that the exact cause will only be known after the postmortem report.
Medical experts noted that certain congenital conditions may remain undetected until triggered by stress, sometimes proving fatal without prior symptoms.
School authorities have reportedly assured police that a sick room and basic medical arrangements will be set up.