After letter from MP, Maneka Gandhi directs child rights body to probe Noida DPS student’s death

The woman and child development minister has directed NCPCR to investigate Ghazal Yadav’s death

Union minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi, has given directions to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to investigate the death of seven-year-old Ghazal Yadav, a class 2 student at DPS World School in Noida Extension.

Seven-year-old Ghazal Yadav had died on January 31 after a karate tournament at school.

The directions came after Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrote to her requesting a proper and swift investigation into the alleged unnatural death of the girl, who died on January 31 after a karate tournament at the school.

“Thank you, Sh @rajeev_mp ji for bringing this to my notice. I have directed @NCPCR_ to investigate. I will keep you posted. (sic),” Maneka Gandhi tweeted on Tuesday.

Ghazal’s parents have alleged that the events of the day indicate that it was an unnatural death and that the school management is trying to cover up the real reason for her death.

However, the school administration has repeatedly refuted the claims and maintained that Ghazal had complained of a severe headache and was taken to Kailash Hospital in Greater Noida where she died.

Ghazal’s parents, who live at Stellar Jeevan society in Noida Extension, have also created a twitter handle called @RipGhazal and have started the campaign - #justiceforghazal. Soon after Gandhi’s tweet, they said they are now hopeful that action will be taken.

Ghazal’s father, Lal Chand Yadav, who is a general manager in a private firm, said, “Police have only taken statements from people. They did not question them properly, otherwise facts would have come out early. The inaction of the police led me to run from pillar to post. Now, the matter has been reported to the Centre, I am hopeful the guilty will be punished.”

Parliamentarian Chandrasekhar had written a letter to Gandhi on February 17, in which he had raised concerns about the safety of children in educational institutions. He had said that the alleged negligence of school authorities should be investigated in a proper, fair and impartial manner and those responsible should be held accountable for the girl’s death.