Pradhuman Thakur was murdered in one of the toilets at Gurgaon's Ryan International School.
Seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur, who was murdered at a Gurgaon school last month, could have been saved had the school authorities been careful and acted responsibly, the
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) told the
Supreme Court.
The board found gaps in the security plan of Ryan International School and alleged that severe irregularities and safety lapses led to the boy's death. There were not enough CCTV cameras covering the campus, and classrooms not in use on the floors above were not locked, the CBSE pointed out in its affidavit.
The boundary wall of the school wasn't high enough and barbed wire wasn't used to secure the peripheral walls. No ramps, no attendants to accompany students to washrooms, no separate toilets for non-teaching staff and porous entry points are some of the other lapses that the CBSE listed before the top court.
It further revealed that a few electric panels in the school were uncovered, which could have posed serious threat to the lives of children.
Pradyuman was found with his throat slit in one of the toilets on September 8. 42-year-old bus conductor Ashok Kumar, who was present in the toilet, according to the footage, moments before the boy was seen crawling out and collapsing, was arrested allegedly for the gruesome murder and attempted sexual assault.
The
school was ordered to stay shut for a long period as security measures were found critically wanting. The Haryana government took over the administration of the school while the police said that the school couldn't resume classes before its security gaps were plugged.
Pradyuman's father Barun Chandra Thakur said that the school management's casual approach in the case was appalling.
Sushil K Tekriwal, Mr Thakur's counsel, alleged that the police was not informed immediately after the crime and no FIR was registered by the management and it was Mr Thakur who had rushed to the police.
Ryan Pinto, the CEO of Ryan International, and his parents Augustine and Grace Pinto, the founders, who are based in Mumbai, had approached the High Court requesting anticipatory bail. The court rejected their applications but granted interim protection from arrest.