School pays Rs 10 lakh for girl’s pool injury

A private school Wednesday granted a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to a 19-year-old former student five years after a swimming pool accident left her confined to wheelchair and forced her to discontinue education.

A private school Wednesday granted a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to a 19-year-old former student five years after a swimming pool accident left her confined to wheelchair and forced her to discontinue education.

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Following the intervention of the Delhi high court, Remal Public School, Rohini, agreed to settle with Riya Gupta’s parents, who had sought R21 lakh in damages.

On September 5, 2007, Gupta, a student of Class 8, was asked by her two coaches to dive in the school pool during a swimming lesson, said the compensation suit filed by her parents.

When she pointed out that the water-level was too low, the coaches told her not to disobey them as it would be construed a breach of discipline, the suit said. As soon as she dived, her head hit the pool floor, severely injuring her head and spine, leaving her disabled. She left school and now mostly stays at home. Her father runs a small business.

Ashok Agarwal, her parents’ lawyer, accused the school and the two swimming instructors of criminal negligence.

“No amount can compensate the loss suffered by my daughter. But, this money will bring some relief. We have spent more than R10 lakh on her treatment,” her father Manoj Gupta said.