A 12-year-old student, Arhan Pasha, died after collapsing inside his classroom at a private school in Weavers Colony, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, with his family alleging that the school management's failure to act on time cost the boy his life. The family lodged a complaint with the Konanakunte police station, following which an FIR was registered on Thursday, 16 July.

What Happened That Day

The incident took place on 10 June, though it came to public attention only recently after the family raised formal allegations. According to the family, Arhan had lunch at home, appeared to be in good health, and left for school after saying goodbye to his father — a farewell his family did not know would be the last.

The family alleged that Arhan informed his class teacher that he was feeling unwell and experiencing dizziness, but his complaints were dismissed. 'Our son told his teachers that he was not feeling well. Other children later informed us that the teacher asked him to sit down instead of attending to him,' the grieving parents alleged. 'We send our children to school trusting the management and staff, but they showed complete carelessness.'

The Alleged Delay in Response

According to the complaint, Arhan subsequently collapsed on a classroom bench. The family alleged that he remained on school premises for nearly 45 minutes before they were notified. They further claimed that the school management neither arranged an ambulance nor took steps to shift the boy to a hospital. Family members ultimately rushed to the school and transported Arhan to a hospital on a two-wheeler.

'The doctors told us that if he had been brought to the hospital even 10 minutes earlier, he could have been saved. The school could have at least called an ambulance. There are around 30 teachers in the school, but no one cares. I don't want any other family to go through what we have suffered,' the parents said.

School Management's Version

The school management denied any negligence. A teacher at the school, identified as Ranju, said Arhan appeared normal when he arrived that day. According to her account, Arhan had taken permission to use the washroom, returned to the classroom, and was writing notes when he suddenly collapsed onto a fellow student, who immediately raised an alarm.

'When I spoke to Arhan, he responded and addressed me as 'Madam' twice. We initially believed he had fainted due to the heat and massaged his hands and legs. By then, the headmistress had arrived, and arrangements were made to shift him. There was no driver available as it was lunchtime, which delayed the use of the school vehicle,' she said. Ranju also noted that Arhan had been absent for two days before the incident, reportedly after attending a wedding.

Police Investigation

Konanakunte police have registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) and are investigating the circumstances of the incident. Authorities have collected CCTV footage from the school as part of the probe. Police said the investigation is ongoing to determine whether there was any lapse in the school's response to the medical emergency.

This case has drawn attention to the absence of standardised emergency medical protocols in many private schools across Karnataka, raising broader questions about student safety obligations and institutional accountability. As the investigation continues, Arhan's family has said they hope no other parent faces the same ordeal.