Class 8 girl dies after falling from moving auto during school task, Gurukul safety lapse sparks outrage

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• Class 8 student died after falling from moving auto in Telangana's Kamareddy.
• Students forced to move chairs, breaching safety and child labor laws.
• Protests erupted; authorities launched probe into school's negligence.

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A Class 8 student died after falling from a moving autorickshaw while being made to transport chairs in Telangana’s Kamareddy district, triggering protests and allegations of grave negligence by school authorities.

The incident took place in Banswada mandal, where Sangeetha, a student of a government-run residential Gurukul school for children from the Scheduled Caste community, was travelling in an autorickshaw along with other students. Local reports said the vehicle was being used to ferry chairs for an upcoming Republic Day function, and students were asked to unload them, in violation of safety norms and child labour rules.

According to visuals and eyewitness accounts, Sangeetha was the fourth child who was either seen jumping off or falling from the moving autorickshaw. Despite this, the vehicle did not stop and sped away after taking a turn.

Sangeetha reportedly lost her balance and fell from the auto, sustaining serious injuries. She was rushed to a hospital in Banswada, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. An on-duty doctor said, “She wasn't breathing and had no cardiac activity.” Medical staff also noted that she had severe bleeding from her ears and multiple injuries to her face and hands.

A senior official said the incident occurred after the girls had gone for a ride following the transportation of chairs. However, it remains unclear why the driver failed to stop even after students fell from the vehicle.

Kiranmayi Koppisetty, the IAS officer in charge of the area, said the autorickshaw driver was familiar to the hostel and regularly ferried students. “He may have been inebriated. He is also said to be hard of hearing. It's yet to be probed if the driver did not realise the seriousness of his negligence. Sangeetha suffered head injuries and had severe bleeding after the fall inside the school campus and died,” she told NDTV. She added that the driver has been taken into custody.

The student’s death sparked protests by her family and several student organisations, with locals accusing the school administration of negligence. Questions were also raised over why minor students were asked to carry out physical labour instead of trained workers.

Sangeetha’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination. Student groups have demanded strict action against the school principal, Sunitha, and staff members present at the time of the incident.

Authorities have announced a probe into the alleged lapse in safety standards at the residential school.