Girl student's death in hostel : Court rejects wardens' bail plea
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 20 2019: The Court of Session Judge, Imphal West today rejected anticipatory bail application filed by the wardens of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School.

However, the Court granted interim bail for the Principal and administrator of the school.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the JAC constituted against the death of N Babysana met Chief Minister N Biren this, evening demanding a magisterial enquiry.

The Chief Minister reportedly assured that a magisterial enquiry would be instituted tomorrow itself.

Girl student's death in hostel : Court rejects wardens' bail plea

Principal of the school, Pheiroijam Landhoni Devi, administrator Pheiroijam Romita Devi, wardens Kamei Ileen and Nongmaithem Jinnty filed their respective anticipatory bail applications before the Court through their respective counsels.

However, the Court turned down the applications of Kamei Ileen and Nongmaithem Jinnty and directed the investigating agency to follow the provision of section 41 CrPC while dealing with the case.

On the other hand, the Court observed that necessary report from the investigating agency is pending for the Principal and the administrator and as such, granted interim bail to both of them till July 23 .

The Court then ordered that in the event of arrest, they shall be released on interim bail by executing a bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount.

The Court further fixed July 23 for further hearing of the bail applications.

On the other hand, Principal Pheiroijam Landhoni was unable to reply to numerous queries raised by media persons regarding the death of the student in the school's hostel during a press meet held at Manipur Press Club today and accordingly, another press meet has been scheduled for tomorrow where some staff of the boarding/hostel would talk to media.

It may be mentioned that Ningthoujam Babysana d/o N Tomchouof Thangmeiband Maisnam Leikai, a Class VII student of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Canchipur, was found hung to death inside the school hostel in the morning of July 18 .

Replying to queries at the press meet today, Pheiroijam Landhoni said that a total of 36/37 students have been staying in the dormitory where Babysana was found dead.

The Principal informed that a group of wardens supervise the students staying in the hostel under one Head Warden.

The wake up time at the hostel is 4.30 am while the lights off time is usually 8.30 pm.

As per the normal evening routine of the hostel, the students are given some free time for extracurricular activities after they return from school and they have their dinner between 6 pm and 6.30 pm.

After dinner, there is a study duration and by around 8.30, the students are in bed, she added.

Replying to another query raised by media persons regarding the muddy feet of the deceased student, Landhoni reasoned that it might be because the deceased is a child and she might have become muddy while playing and urged the media persons to wait for the investigation to provide a definitive report.

She further claimed that one of Babysana's friends staying in the dormitory informed about the incident to a warden after which the helper of the boarding called and informed her (Landhoni's) son, and added that she came to know of the incident from her son.

Expressing sorrow at the death of the child, the Principal said that the school authority is very much saddened by the incident.

She then assured that the school authority will provide full cooperation to the investigation by police regarding the death and appealed to all the Government agencies, CSOs etc to find the truth at the earliest.

On the other hand, the All Manipur Recognised Private School Welfare Association has expressed condolence at the death of N Babysana and has announced that it will provide every possible support to the investigation process.

The association further continued that even if Landhoni herself is the president of the association, there should not be any biasness in its judgement and actions regarding the case.

The association further announced that if the need arises, it will even remove Landhoni from the post of the association's president.