A severe administrative and legal crackdown has commenced in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district following a tragic snakebite incident at a government-aided residential ashram school. Three minor tribal female students lost their lives after being bitten by a poisonous snake inside their hostel room in Japatlai, Dhanora Tehsil. In response to the tragedy, police filed a criminal FIR against five key individuals, including the school principal, superintendents, and management officials. Simultaneously, state authorities revoked the institution's official accreditation and suspended two government officers over duty negligence.
Midnight Horror: How the Tragedy Unfolded
The horrifying event took place on the night of August 10, 2026, around 2:00 AM. Female students residing in the hostel at the grant-in-aid Japatlai Ashramshala were sleeping after completing their dinner and night study hours. Unnoticed, a venomous snake crept into the room and bit several sleeping girls. As screams echoed, panic broke out across the premises. Staff members rushed the affected students to Dhanora Rural Hospital for emergency treatment.
During medical care at Dhanora Rural Hospital, 14-year-old Deepika Aitwa Lakda (Class 6, resident of Javheli, Etapalli Tehsil) and 15-year-old Sushmita Sarojit Mandal (Class 8, resident of Mendhari, Etapalli Tehsil) succumbed to the snake venom. Subsequently, 16 other students displaying snakebite symptoms were transferred to Gadchiroli District General Hospital. Among them, 8-year-old Anu Gajuram Koreti (Class 2, resident of Kehkawahi, Dhanora Tehsil) passed away while undergoing treatment. The tragedy ultimately claimed the lives of three young schoolgirls.
Condition of Other Hospitalized Students
Medical teams continue to monitor the condition of other students affected by the incident. According to official records, Kavita Rajkumar Kiringe and Samriddhi Suresh Naitam underwent treatment at the Gadchiroli facility, with Samriddhi reported to be in critical condition. Another student, Deepika Bitkursay Madavi, was transferred to Government Medical College, Nagpur for advanced intensive medical treatment.
Inquiry Panel Uncovers Negligence: FIR Filed Against Five
The loss of young lives sparked widespread outrage among parents and local communities regarding security arrangements in tribal hostels. The Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), Gadchiroli constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the oversight. The inquiry report established severe duty dereliction, carelessness, and administrative apathy on the part of hostel and school authorities.
Following the report, Dhanora Police Station registered Crime No. 86/2026 on August 12, 2026, at 1:03 AM. Charges were invoked under Sections 106(1), 125(A), 125(B), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, along with Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The official complainant in the case is Dr. Prabhu Punya Sadamwar (57), Assistant Project Officer (Education) at ITDP Gadchiroli. SDPO Jagdish Pandey of Pendhari, holding additional charge of Dhanora sub-division, is leading the investigation.
The five individuals named as accused in the FIR are
- Prashant Vilasrao Tatpallivar: Headmaster / Principal (Age 51)
- Bhagyashree Dnyaneshwar Chillamwar: Female Superintendent (Age 34)
- Bhaskar Ramchandra Bhoyar: Male Superintendent (Age 50)
- Marotrao Sainuji Kovase: Institution President (Resident of Gadchiroli)
- Vishwajit Marotrao Kovasi: Institution Secretary (Resident of Gadchiroli)
Accreditation Revoked and Officials Suspended
Stringent departmental actions quickly followed the legal proceedings. On August 17, 2026, Leena Bansod, Commissioner of the Tribal Development Department, Maharashtra State (Nashik), officially cancelled the recognition of the Japatlai Ashramshala. On August 21, 2026, Ayushi Singh, Additional Commissioner of Tribal Development Department (Nagpur), suspended two officials for administrative lapses: Assistant Project Officer Dr. Prabhu Punya Sadamwar (who filed the complaint) and Extension Officer Kannake.
Political Backlash Over Hostel Safety
The tragedy has brought broader safety protocols in tribal residential schools across Maharashtra under sharp public scrutiny. Opposition leaders attacked the state administration over infrastructure deficiencies. Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar questioned the government regarding student safety, stating that 584 students had died across ashram schools over two years. Wadettiwar demanded full accountability and clear explanations regarding safety measures and emergency protocols in state-run and grant-in-aid hostels.
