The tragic suicide of a minor student at Safa Public School in Malihabad has prompted the District Minority Welfare Department to join the ongoing investigation. The deceased, identified as Altamash, a Class 5 student and hostel boarder, was found hanging in the school’s bathroom, raising concerns over the circumstances leading to his death.
According to a report, a team from the Minority Welfare Department is set to conduct an inspection at the CBSE-affiliated school, where allegations have surfaced regarding the illegal operation of a madrasa within the premises. The school’s manager, Arshad Khan, is accused of running a madrasa alongside the regular school, a claim that has now come under official scrutiny.
A formal complaint was lodged by the victim’s elder brother, Abdul Kuddus, who alleged that the school administration was responsible for Altamash’s death. Acting on the complaint, the Malihabad police have registered a case against the school’s principal, Anthony Thomas, manager Abdul Hafiz, and other staff members under charges of abetment to suicide.
Initial investigations have reportedly uncovered that the madrasa within the school was receiving foreign funds, specifically from Gulf nations. Additionally, a mosque was discovered inside the school premises where daily prayers (namaz) were being conducted five times a day. The school also operates a hostel, currently housing 43 students.
Local residents have voiced concerns over past activities at the school. Allegations have emerged that two years ago, the school marked August 14 (Pakistan’s Independence Day) instead of August 15 (India’s Independence Day), which further fueled suspicions about its operations.
In the wake of the student’s tragic death, several parents staged protests against the school, expressing outrage over the alleged mismanagement and the circumstances surrounding the suicide. Reports indicate that many parents have decided to withdraw their children’s admissions due to safety concerns.
DCP West Vishwajeet Srivastav has assured a thorough investigation, stating that further proceedings will be based on the postmortem report and collected evidence. Statements from relevant individuals, including school staff and students, are currently being recorded.
Altamash had been enrolled in Safa Public School for the past four years and resided in the hostel. According to the hostel warden, he returned to his room after dinner around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. The next morning, at approximately 5:30 a.m., a fellow student discovered him hanging in the bathroom.
The school administration has put forth the claim that Altamash was recently caught smoking with friends and was warned that his family would be informed if he repeated the act. Authorities speculate that fear of being reprimanded by his family may have pushed him to take the extreme step.
However, the victim’s elder brother has rejected the school’s narrative, accusing the administration of harassment and severe physical punishment. He alleged that Altamash was frequently beaten with sticks for minor infractions and claimed that the smoking allegation was fabricated by the school to cover up their role in his death.
