Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed the Bijapur district collector and superintendent of police to conduct a thorough investigation into alleged misconduct involving girl students at the Eklavya residential school in Bijapur, ordering strict legal action against anyone found guilty. The directive, issued on 13 September 2026, follows complaints from a few girl students at the tribal-focused institution.

What the Chief Minister Ordered

Sai made clear that the safety and dignity of children are non-negotiable. He stated that complaints relating to misconduct, harassment, or an unsafe environment must be addressed immediately and with sensitivity. Officials who suppress, conceal, or delay action on such complaints will themselves be held accountable, he warned.

Beyond the immediate probe in Bijapur, Sai instructed all district collectors and superintendents of police across Chhattisgarh to carry out regular inspections of girls' hostels, ashrams, and residential schools statewide. Inspections must cover security arrangements, the presence of responsible staff, and the systems in place for redressing student grievances.

Proactive Monitoring, Not Just Reactive Action

The Chief Minister underscored that the administration should not wait for complaints to surface before acting. Officials are expected to proactively identify and prevent potential problems through continuous communication and monitoring — a departure from the reactive approach that critics argue has historically characterised governance of remote residential schools.

The education department and police have been jointly directed to take immediate, coordinated action whenever complaints of misconduct, harassment, intimidation, or threats against girl students are received. Counselling and psychological support must also be provided to affected students without delay, Sai added.

Context: Students in Remote Residential Institutions

Eklavya Model Residential Schools are centrally supported institutions primarily serving children from Scheduled Tribe communities in remote and forested regions. Bijapur, located in south Chhattisgarh's Bastar division, is among the more geographically isolated districts in the state — a factor that, according to child welfare observers, can limit both oversight and access to grievance mechanisms for students.

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about safety conditions in residential schools in tribal areas of Chhattisgarh. The latest incident adds to a pattern of reported lapses that have periodically prompted administrative responses, though critics argue sustained monitoring has remained inconsistent.

Accountability Framework and What Comes Next

Sai's directive explicitly holds negligent officials — not just alleged perpetrators — responsible, a signal that accountability is being pushed up the administrative chain. The Chief Minister's intervention is expected to prompt swift action from Bijapur authorities while reinforcing statewide inspection protocols for residential educational institutions.

With formal investigation orders now in place, the district collector and police superintendent in Bijapur are expected to submit a preliminary report in the coming days; the outcome could determine whether further state-level action or legal proceedings follow.