In the case of a Wayanad student who died after being bitten by a snake, the Kerala High Court on Friday ordered the state government to submit a detailed affidavit. The court was considering the anticipatory bail pleas of the accused teachers.
On Nov 20, 10-year-old Shehla Sherin, a student of the Sarvajana Higher Secondary School at Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad, died after being bitten by a snake inside her classroom.
The state government on Friday gave Rs 10 lakh to the family of Shehla.
Shajil CV, an upper primary school teacher at the school, and Vice Principal KK Mohanan, have been held responsible for failing to take the child to a hospital in a timely manner. The two had filed anticipatory bail pleas in the HC.
Considering the pleas, the High Court has directed the state government to submit an affidavit which details the shortcomings of the teachers in the incident, Asianet News reports. As per the report, the government will have to file two separate affidavits on the two accused teachers.
Reportedly, the government has also informed the HC that the teachers will not be arrested until the court makes a decision in the anticipatory bail pleas. The HC was also informed that, at present, there is no requirement to take the accused in custody for questioning.
Apart from the two teachers, another teacher at the same school and the doctor of Sulthan Bathery Taluk Hospital, who looked after the child, have been named in the case. The High Court will consider the case again on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi, who reached the constituency, visited Shehla’s house and her school on Friday. After spending time with Shehla’s family, Rahul Gandhi said he would do his best to improve the health care facilities in the constituency.
Shehla’s mother reportedly raised the need for a Medical College in the district. She also added that if there had been one, her daughter's life could have been saved.
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