New committee to investigate Akkriti’s death

Yet another committee instituted to look into the untimely death of Akkriti Bhatia started its work on Monday. BG Verghese, former editor of HT and member of Centre for Policy Research heads the four-member panel.

Yet another committee instituted to look into the untimely death of Akkriti Bhatia started its work on Monday. BG Verghese, former editor of Hindustan Times and member of Centre for Policy Research heads the four-member panel, made up entirely of people outside the school fraternity.

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BK Rao, chairman of the medical council of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Subhash Arya, head of the Department of Paediatrics Adolescent medicine at the BL Kapur Hospital and advocate Anuradha Dutt are the other members of the committee.

According to a press note issued on behalf of Ashok Pratap Singh, managing trustee, Modern School Trust, the panel of experts, which has been asked to submit its findings within ten days, aims to “look into the events leading to Akkriti’s death, to evaluate whether the persons concerned handled the different matters (systemic or medical) with best intention and whether there was any gross negligence.” That apart, the committee will also make suggestions for improvements to ensure better preparedness to deal with emergencies.

Meanwhile, the demand for the resignation of principal Goldy Malhotra intensified with students launching a signature campaign immediately after the school opened after being closed since Friday.

Almost 150 students have already signed the petition, which also demands a criminal case be registered against Malhotra and better medical facilities in the school. “The petition will be given to the management,” said a student. Students have demanded a public apology from the principal.