Vadodara: Even as police continue their probe whether an electrical fault or negligence led to the death of a 15-year-old class XI student during football practice at a city school, the district education department has ordered electrical safety audits across schools, forming seven teams to inspect power installations and identify potential hazards.DCP (Zone-1) Jagdish Chavda told media on Monday that an FSL team had visited New Era Senior Secondary School in Nizampura to examine the electrical installations and determine whether there was any negligence involving the power supply provided either by Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (MGVCL) or the school management.The police are also examining the circumstances leading to the death of Dev, son of city-based dentist Dr Prashant Shah, who suffered an electric shock while practising football at the school ground on Saturday evening.“Prima facie, based on the statements of students who had gone for practice and the coach who was present there, it has come to light that Dev had climbed two to three steps on the pole. When he touched a wire mesh, he received the electric shock. We are further investigating the matter,” Chavda said.The FSL team is examining the electrical installations to ascertain whether the pole or wire mesh had become electrically charged and whether there were lapses in the electrical supply, installation or maintenance.According to police, students had gathered at the school ground to practise for an upcoming CBSE cluster tournament. Around 20 students were expected for practice, but only about 10 turned up. During the practice session, amid rainy weather, the football went towards a nearby parking shade.Dev reportedly climbed up to retrieve the ball and, while climbing down, touched a wire mesh connected to the pole. He was rushed to SSG Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at around 8.50pm.Fatehgunj police registered an accidental death case.The police are also likely to examine who installed the pole and who was responsible for its upkeep.Meanwhile, the district education officer has initiated a wider safety exercise, with seven teams formed to conduct electrical audits of schools across the city. The teams will inspect electrical connections, wiring, poles, installations and other possible hazards on school campuses.The DEO said the department had issued five circulars from time to time regarding safety on school premises. These circulars cover overall campus safety, including electricity connections and power supply.The move comes amid questions over the safety of electrical installations at school grounds, which are regularly used by children for sports and other activities.
