A major controversy has erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district after the death of a seven-year-old student whose family has accused a private school teacher of physically assaulting him. The sensitive Damoh student death case came into public focus on Saturday morning when grieving family members reached the Superintendent of Police office carrying the child’s body and demanding strict legal action against the accused teacher.

The child had reportedly been undergoing treatment in Bhopal for nearly two months before he died on Friday evening. The incident has triggered outrage in the local community and raised serious questions regarding student safety and disciplinary practices in private schools. According to family members, the deceased child, identified as Kavya Namdev, was a Class 3 student at IES Public School located in Tendukheda area of Damoh district. The child’s maternal uncle Hemant Namdev alleged that on February 19 the school teacher, identified as Devendri Thakur, beat the child with a scale after he allegedly failed to complete his homework.

The family claimed that the teacher struck the boy on his hands, legs, and head, following which his health condition began deteriorating. According to relatives, the child developed fever soon after returning home and gradually stopped eating and speaking normally. His condition reportedly became serious within a short period, forcing the family to seek medical treatment at several hospitals. Initially, the boy was taken to the Tendukheda health centre, where doctors referred him to higher medical facilities due to worsening health.

The family later admitted him to Chirayu Hospital, where medical examinations including MRI scans were conducted. Relatives alleged that the MRI report showed swelling in the child’s head and doctors indicated the condition could be linked to physical trauma. As his condition continued to deteriorate, the child was shifted to Apollo Hospital in Jabalpur for advanced treatment. After several days of treatment there without major improvement, he was eventually referred to AIIMS Bhopal for specialised care. The child remained admitted at AIIMS for nearly two months while doctors continued treatment, but he died on Friday evening during treatment. Following the death, family members brought the body back to Damoh and directly approached the SP office seeking justice.

The grieving relatives alleged that authorities had failed to take proper action despite earlier complaints. The child’s uncle claimed that the complaint filed at Tendukheda police station earlier did not accurately mention the accused individuals and alleged that names were removed from the report. He further stated that the family had submitted applications to the Collector, Superintendent of Police, and District Education Officer requesting investigation into the matter, but no concrete action had been initiated. Family members now want strict punishment against the teacher and a transparent investigation into the entire incident.

The matter quickly drew attention after the family arrived at the SP office with the child’s body. Police officials immediately intervened and sent the body to the district hospital for post-mortem examination. Kotwali police station officials confirmed that a panel post-mortem would be conducted under the supervision of senior authorities considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case. Police officials stated that the exact cause of death would only become clear after the post-mortem findings and medical reports are examined. Meanwhile, district authorities have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the entire case. Officials said the SIT would examine all aspects of the matter, including the medical treatment records, witness statements, earlier complaints filed by the family, and the conduct of school authorities after the alleged assault. Police sources indicated that statements from doctors, school staff, and family members are likely to be recorded during the investigation process.

The case has also put the private school administration under scrutiny. Responding to the allegations, school operator Vikram Singh stated that the institution had acted immediately after the complaint was first received from the family. According to him, the accused teacher was removed from service soon after the allegations surfaced. He also claimed that the school administration fully cooperated with the child’s treatment and even provided financial support to the family during the boy’s prolonged treatment in Bhopal. The school management maintained that they support a fair and unbiased investigation into the case. At the same time, police officials have urged the public not to draw conclusions until the investigation and medical reports are completed.

The Damoh student death case has sparked widespread debate regarding corporal punishment in schools and the accountability of educational institutions in handling complaints involving children. Local residents and social organisations have demanded strict monitoring of disciplinary practices in schools to ensure student safety. The incident has also intensified demands for stronger child protection mechanisms in educational institutions across the state.

--------------

Bhopal Minor Rape Case: CDR Confirms Maj and Osaf Were Together During Crime; Harassment Evidence Found

In a major breakthrough in the Khanugang area gangrape case, where an 11th-grade minor girl was abducted and sexually assaulted in a Thar SUV, the police have gathered concrete evidence against the accused, Mohammed Maj Khan and Osaf Ali Khan. On Thursday, the police took accused Maj to the crime scene for spot verification, where he confessed to his involvement. The Call Detail Record (CDR) analysis has now opened a new chapter in the investigation.

CDR Analysis Confirms Presence

According to the CDR obtained by the police, the mobile locations of both accused, Maj and Osaf, were found together at the same spot in Khanugang at the time of the incident. This confirms that both were present during the crime, contradicting their initial claims of being elsewhere.

Furthermore, the investigation has revealed that accused Maj had sent obscene messages to the victim and had also harassed her. Although Maj denied the harassment charges during police remand, digital evidence has proven him wrong.

Arms Act Charges Added

During the investigation, it was discovered that Osaf Ali Khan always kept a knife in his car. The police have recovered this weapon. Following this recovery, charges under the Arms Act have been added against the accused. The police are now investigating whether the accused threatened to kill the victim.

Maj's Confession: "I Only Made the Video"

During interrogation, accused Maj Khan told the police that he did not harass the victim but only secretly made a private video of her. Maj also admitted that he had planned the entire act in advance. He stood outside the car and filmed the act between Osaf and the girl through the window.

Maj stated, "I had planned it beforehand. I stood outside the car, peered through the glass, and secretly shot the video. We shared the video among ourselves."

Shocking Revelations of Blackmail

The accused repeatedly forced the victim to engage in physical relations. Whenever the girl resisted, they threatened to make the video viral. Using this threat, the accused also extorted Rs 40,000 from the minor girl.

Rape Committed in Four Different Cars

The investigation has revealed that the accused raped the victim at different times in four different luxury cars. Following Maj's disclosure, the police have recovered the Thar and three other cars from a village in the Sehore district. Maj used all four cars, and the crime was committed at different locations each time.

Head Constable Suspended for Leaking Information

Negligence within the police department has also come to light in this case. Head Constable Gyanendra Dwivedi, posted at the Kohefiza police station, has been suspended. He is accused of having lunch with accused Maj at a hotel and leaking confidential departmental information, which delayed Maj's arrest. During interrogation, Maj revealed that Dwivedi was paid Rs 50,000 for this favor.

SIT to Probe the 'Crorepati' Mystery

23-year-old Maj Khan runs a prestigious gym and claims to be a partner in several construction sites. His brother Monis is out on bail in an MD drug trafficking case. The police suspect foul play regarding how these two brothers became millionaires in just 8-10 years. The SIT will now investigate this mystery. Monis used to be a modest home tutor just 10-12 years ago.

Formation of SIT

Given the seriousness of the case, a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed. The team will be led by TT Nagar ACP Ankita Khatarkar. The SIT will investigate:

- Whether the accused targeted other young women as well.

- How the victim came into contact with the accused.

- Who else is involved in making the video and blackmailing.

- Whether there was any pressure for religious conversion.

The Case So Far

An 11th-grade minor girl was abducted and gangraped in a Thar SUV in the Khanugang area of Bhopal. The accused made an obscene video of the girl and extorted Rs 40,000 from her by blackmail. The main accused, Osaf Ali Khan (19), has been sent to jail, while Maj Khan is currently on police remand. A reward of Rs 10,000 was also announced for Maj's arrest. The SIT is now probing the case, and more revelations are expected in the coming days.