Itanagar, Feb 14: A charge sheet has been filed in connection with the water tank collapse at St Alphonso School, Naharlagun, which resulted in the deaths of three students and severe injuries to two others on December 14 last year.
According to Naharlagun superintendent of police Mihin Gambo, an FIR was registered following the incident, and a case was initiated under relevant sections of the law. Five individuals, including the owner of the school building and the principal, were arrested on the same day.
The arrested individuals were identified as Kapa Rai (46), owner of the school building; Shaji Cherian (51), principal; Gaurav Gogoi (24), warden; Dicky Kumar Das (24), warden; and Kaushik Chetry (22), warden. Further investigation led to the arrest of Vice Principal Kurian Pallikunnel John (64) from Guwahati, Assam, on December 27, 2024.
Following the completion of the investigation, a charge sheet was filed on February 13 before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Yupia, against three accused persons – Principal Cherian, Vice Principal Pallikunnel John and building owner Rai. The charge sheet was submitted under Sections 105, 106, 125(b), and 3(5) of the BNS.
The SP said the involvement of the three hostel wardens – Gaurav Gogoi, Dicky Kumar Das, and Kaushik Chetry – could not be established, as their role was found to be limited to escorting hostel students to their classrooms before the incident.
Their names were subsequently dropped from the charge sheet, Gambo said.
