The Hathras Basic Siksha Adhikari (BSA), Swati Bharti, has ordered the closure of DL Public School following the alleged murder of an 11-year-old boy in what police suspect was a “black magic ritual.”
UP school, which sacrificed a boy in Hathras, to be shut
The school, located in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district, was reportedly operating illegally beyond its recognized capacity, offering classes up to 8th standard while only having approval for classes up to 5th.
The incident, which occurred on September 23 at the school’s hostel, has sent shockwaves through the community. Five individuals, including the school’s owner, have been arrested in connection with the crime.
What do Hathras police say?
Hathras Additional Superintendent of Police, Ashok Kumar Singh, stated, “On 23rd September, a student was murdered at the hostel of DL Public School under Sahpau PS. A case was registered under relevant sections based on the statement of the complainant. Five accused, including the owner of the school, have been arrested. They have been sent to judicial custody. Police will take action by investigating all angles.”
The accused, identified as Ramprakash Solanki, Dinesh Baghel, Jashodhan Singh alias Bhagat ji, Laxman Singh, and Virpal Singh alias Viru, have been booked under section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and remanded to judicial custody.
Here’s what victim’s parents said:
The victim’s parents have demanded swift justice, with the father, Shrikishan Kushwaha, recounting the harrowing events leading to the discovery of his son’s body. “At 5, I received the call from the school manager telling me that your son’s health is very poor; come here,” Kushwaha told ANI. He described a series of misleading communications from the school staff before finding his son’s body in a vehicle with one of the accused, who was allegedly intoxicated.
The grieving father vehemently denied rumours of a ritual sacrifice, stating, “My son was studying there for 4 years. I don’t think there was any ritual performed there. He wasn’t sacrificed. He was brutally murdered. I want an SIT team to investigate the matter.”
Bulldozer action to be taken?
The victim’s mother, Kamlesh, in her anguish, called for extreme measures: “Bulldozer should be run on the school. There should be a CBI inquiry in the case. The culprits should be hanged.”
As the investigation unfolds, this case highlights critical issues surrounding school safety, regulatory oversight, and the persistence of superstitious practices in some parts of India. The closure of the school and the ongoing police investigation mark the beginning of what promises to be a complex and emotionally charged legal process, as the community grapples with the tragic loss of a young life under such disturbing circumstances.
