Minor’s death in ashram: Girl’s parents call for proper probe, want to know cause of death

Parents of the minor girl, who died at the Gandhi Vanita Ashram on the night of November 21, have sought a proper probe into the demise of their 15-year-old daughter. They have also expressed curiosity over sudden death of their daughter.

Officials informed The Tribune that the CCTV footage of the ashram was being examined to find information about circumstances that led to girl’s death.

Shayari Malhotra, SDM II, Jalandhar, who is carrying out an inquiry into the case, after the same was marked to her by the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner, told The Tribune that the parents of the girl were summoned during the ongoing probe on Thursday. As per officials of the administration, they hoped for a fair probe into the incident, while expressing curiosity over sudden death of their daughter.

Referred from the Child Welfare Committee, Ferozepur, the 15-year-old girl, who arrived in Jalandhar on November 19, died mysteriously on November 21 at the Children’s Home of the ashram. Staff of the Children’s Home reported that they found her collapsed in a toilet of the home.

Officials conducting an inquiry into the incident said an exhaust fan of the said toilet had fallen and a chair was also found in the bathroom. While officials at the police station number 2 initiated proceedings into the matter, no FIR was registered in this connection.

Officials said the exact cause of girl’s death would be known only after arrival of the post-mortem report. Viscera of the girl was also sent for investigation.

Speaking to The Tribune, SDM II, Jalandhar, Shayari Malhotra, said, “We have recorded statements of all concerned. They (parents) are sad about their daughter’s death. They don’t have any suspicion or doubts over anyone. They have sought a proper inquiry into the case and also want to know cause of the girl’s death.”

The SDM also met a member of the doctors’ board, constituted to look into the case, on Thursday. Another member of the doctors’ board would appear before the SDM on Monday. Questioned on whether the CCTV footage of the ashram was being probed, the SDM said, “All aspects of the case are being examined thoroughly.”