Burnt school boy recovering in Sholapur hospital

Ajay, the 10-year-old student of the Neelakanteshwara Vidya Mandira, who had set himself ablaze in the classroom on Wednesday, is responding to treatment at the Basaveshwara Hospital in Sholapur.

Hospital sources said the boy had suffered 60 per cent burn injuries, including serious ones on his private parts and throat.  

The school has, in the mean time, suspended teacher Radhika Rajput, fearing whose punishment the boy had decided to end his life. The boy’s father, Pramod Jadhav, told Deccan Herald that he was given coffee, biscuits, tender coconut and juice for breakfast.
Sub Inspector Mahantesh Dhamannavar said that the boy had refused to go to school on Wednesday, but was convinced not to skip classes by his mother Pushpa.

Dhamannavar said Ajay’s father had refused to lodge a complaint against anybody as he felt it was the boy who was at fault. The police returned to Bijapur from Sholapur,
after taking the father’s statement.

Officials of the Department of Public Instruction said the school authorities had themselves admitted Ajay to the hospital and were bearing the treatment expenses.

T H Melinakeri, the incharge Deputy Director of Public Instruction, said the government and the officials in their individual capacities would also contribute money for his treatment.