Asthma death: Students blame school

The parents of 17-year-old Akkriti Bhatia who died on her way to hospital from Modern School, Vasant Vihar - allegedly due to lack of medical care — lodged a police complaint against the school. Tanya Ashreena reports.

The parents of 17-year-old Akkriti Bhatia who died on her way to hospital from Modern School, Vasant Vihar - allegedly due to lack of medical care — lodged a police complaint against the school on Wednesday. Akkriti’s father alleged the school was negligent in providing medical help that led to her death.

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Police are yet to register a case. “We have received a complaint and are examining the details. We have not registered any case so far,” DCP (south) HGS Dhaliwal said.

On Wednesday, around 200 parents and students participated in a peace march outside Modern School in protest.

“It is wrong to blame the school, we did what we could to help her,” the school principal, Goldy Malhotra, said.

“I am doubtful of the nurse, and would like to see her qualifications,” Akkriti’s mother Anu said.

Many students said negligence caused Akkriti’s death.

“The headmaster, V Mohan, did not let Akkriti leave the school. When Akkriti was gasping for breath, she was made to walk all the way to the first floor. They took the oxygen mask off her before sending her to the hospital,” a student said.

Students said their principal had warned them of rustication if they participated in a protest or spoke to the media.