KISS student untimely demise: OSCPCR steps in, warns of strict action if death found unnatural

Taking serious cognisance of the death of a Class IX student at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar, the Chairperson of the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) on Sunday stated that appropriate action would be taken after the investigation report is submitted.

Speaking on the incident, the Chairperson Babita Patra informed that an inquiry is underway to ascertain how and under what circumstances the student died. As part of the probe, the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Keonjhar has been sent to the student’s residence. After the report is submitted, the Commission will transfer the case, she added.

She further informed that a team from the Commission will visit KISS on Monday to conduct an on-site inquiry. The team will assess the overall environment at the institute and interact with other students to gather information about the circumstances leading to the student’s death.

The Commission will also examine the report submitted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and take necessary action based on its findings. The Chairperson made it clear that if the death is found to be unnatural, strict action would be taken against KISS.

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"We came to know about the news of the tragic incident yesterday. A minor boy was dead and his body was handed over to the family members by the KISS authorities. When the family members took the body to Keonjhar, doubt crept into their mind. They asked for the post-mortem of the body and an FIR in connection with the incident has been lodged in Keonjhar. Now, the FIR will be transferred to Infosys Police Station as the incident occurred here. Our DCP unit visited his residence in Keonjhar. They will discuss with the family members and gather all the information in connection with the incident. We will register a suo motu cognizance case tomorrow. The IIC and DCP will be instructed to conduct an inquiry. Following the completion of the inquiry, it could only be revealed whether it was a natural death or murder," said Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Babita Patra.

"Currently, we are in a government tour. After the completion of the tour, a team from the Commission will visit KISS on Monday to conduct an on-site inquiry. The team will assess the overall environment at the institute and interact with other students to gather information about the circumstances leading to the student’s death," she added.