Bhubaneswar: A seven-year-old Class II student of a central govt school in Bhubaneswar, who left the institution unnoticed way before the closing time, was found dead in a waterlogged fountain inside Reserve Police Line campus nearby, on Wednesday.Police said the child, who was autistic, left the school premises around 1.20 pm without being stopped by teachers or security guards. “It is shocking that neither the staff nor gate security stopped her. We will initiate legal action if evidence corroborates lapses,” a senior police officer told TOI, adding the girl’s family lodged a complaint against the school management at Saheed Nagar police station, alleging negligence.Closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage confirmed the girl walking out of the campus unchecked and later entering the police line premises, where her maternal uncle, a constable, resides, said another officer. “But she did not go to his quarters. Instead, she sat in a children’s park on the campus, ate her tiffin and then went to play near the fountain. Though the fountain was not functional, about 4-5ft-deep rainwater had accumulated. She accidentally slipped and drowned,” the officer said.Police have registered a case of accidental drowning but maintained that lapses in supervision will be thoroughly investigated. No one in the police line noticed the child until much later. After noticing her, police took her to Capital Hospital in the evening, where doctors declared her dead.The school authorities were yet to issue a statement. Meanwhile, grieving relatives demanded accountability. “How could a little girl, who deserved special attention, walk out of school without anyone stopping her? We want strict action against those responsible,” Pratima Mohanty, a relative said.
