{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Three Tribal Students Die of Snakebite in Gadchiroli Ashram School: FIR Against Five Including Principal, Two Officials Suspended",
  "summary": "A tragic snakebite incident at a government-aided ashram school in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, resulted in the death of three minor tribal girls. Police have booked five officials including the principal, while authorities revoked the school's recognition and suspended two officers.",
  "content": "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.\n\nMidnight Horror: How the Tragedy Unfolded\nThe 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.\n\nDuring 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.\n\nCondition of Other Hospitalized Students\nMedical 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.\n\nInquiry Panel Uncovers Negligence: FIR Filed Against Five\nThe 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.\n\nFollowing 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.\n\nThe five individuals named as accused in the FIR are\n• Prashant Vilasrao Tatpallivar: Headmaster / Principal (Age 51)\n• Bhagyashree Dnyaneshwar Chillamwar: Female Superintendent (Age 34)\n• Bhaskar Ramchandra Bhoyar: Male Superintendent (Age 50)\n• Marotrao Sainuji Kovase: Institution President (Resident of Gadchiroli)\n• Vishwajit Marotrao Kovasi: Institution Secretary (Resident of Gadchiroli)\n\nAccreditation Revoked and Officials Suspended\nStringent 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.\n\nPolitical Backlash Over Hostel Safety\nThe 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.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• In Maharashtra: State-wide safety and sanitation audits will be enforced across tribal ashram schools in Gadchiroli and other districts to prevent wildlife hazards.\n• Across India: The incident highlights the urgent need for strict safety protocols, emergency medical care, and staff accountability in government residential hostels.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What tragedy occurred at the Gadchiroli ashram school?\nOn the night of August 10, 2026, three minor tribal girl students died after being bitten by a poisonous snake inside their hostel room in Japatlai, Gadchiroli.\n\n2. Who has been named in the police FIR for this incident?\nDhanora police booked Headmaster Prashant Vilasrao Tatpallivar, Superintendents Bhagyashree Chillamwar and Bhaskar Bhoyar, along with institution President Marotrao Kovase and Secretary Vishwajit Kovasi.\n\n3. What administrative actions were taken against the school and officials?\nThe Tribal Development Department revoked the school's accreditation on August 17 and suspended two department officials on August 21.\n\n4. Who were the three students who lost their lives?\nThe deceased girls were 14-year-old Deepika Aitwa Lakda, 15-year-old Sushmita Sarojit Mandal, and 8-year-old Anu Gajuram Koreti.\n\n5. What claims did Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar make regarding ashram schools?\nCongress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar alleged that 584 students died in ashram schools over two years and demanded full accountability for hostel safety measures.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/maharashtra/gadchiroli-ashramashala-men-sarpadnsha-se-tina-chhatraon-ki-mauta-snstha-ke-adhyaksha-aura-prinsipala-sameta-5-para-fir-2-aphasara-21703",
  "category": "Maharashtra",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-25",
  "tags": [
    "Gadchiroli",
    "Dhanora",
    "Ashram School",
    "Snakebite Incident",
    "Maharashtra Police",
    "Vijay Wadettiwar"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}