Delhi forms high-level inquiry committee after St Columba student’s suicide

The Delhi government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the alleged suicide by a Class X student of St Columba’s School, who died on November 18.

The Directorate of Education issued a formal order initiating the probe, calling the incident “unfortunate” and stressing the need to ascertain all facts and determine accountability.

According to the order, the committee has been set up “to comprehensively ascertain the factual matrix, causative circumstances, and administrative accountability associated with the unfortunate incident”.

The five-member inquiry panel comprises Harshit Jain, Joint Director-Chairman; Anil Kumar, DDE (C/ND); Poonam Yadav, DDE (Zone 26); Kapil Kumar Gupta, principal; and Sarita Devi, principal.

The government has directed the committee to conduct a “thorough, objective, and time-bound inquiry” and submit its report within three days. The findings must include factual details, analytical observations, conclusions and recommendations.

The incident has sparked concern among parents and the school community, who are awaiting clarity on the events leading up to the student’s death. The committee’s report is expected to shed light on whether any administrative lapses or school-level issues contributed to the tragedy.