Sulthan Bathery, Nov 2, 2019: The Human Rights Commission in Kerala has ordered a probe into the death of 10-year-old Shehla Sherin from snakebite at her school.

Shenin’s classmates in Sulthan Bathery, in Wayanad district alleged that school authorities did not take the girl to the hospital on time, despite their repeated pleas for medical help.

P Mohandas, the judicial member of the state Human Rights Commission, has directed the Wayanad District Collector, District police and Deputy Director of Education to probe the matter and submit a report within 15 days.

This order is based on the complaints of human rights activist Veerendhra Kumar as well as U A Ajmal Sajith, Wayanad district president of Lok Thanthrik Youth Janathathal.

“The complainants have held the school authorities responsible for the death of the 10-year-old girl. The school is a haven for reptiles. The complaint also stated that although the students had brought this to the attention of the authorities, no action was taken,” the statement read.

The Deputy Director of Education, Kerala Education Department, suspended Shijil, the teacher who allegedly refused to take Sherin to a hospital, even after she and her friends informed him that a snake had bitten her.

Around 3 pm on Nov.20, the fifth grader was bitten by a snake in her classroom at Sarvajana HSS in Sulthan Bathery. According to her classmates, Sherin alerted her teacher, who allegedly dismissed the snakebite claim and instead attributed the source of the injury to a nail, even as her leg started to discolor.

Her classmates and another teacher requested the school authorities to take her to a hospital. Instead, they kept the young girl waiting in the hallway outside the classroom for almost 45 minutes, allegedly insisting that they wait for her father to take her to the hospital. But, it was already too late.

After Sherin’s father reached the school, she was rushed to a private hospital, and then taken to the Vythiri Taluk Hospital, where the father was informed that she showed symptoms of a snakebite. She was then referred to Kozhikode Medical College hospital. However, she succumbed to death on the way.

The doctor of the Vythiri Taluk Hospital, Jisa Merin Joy, meanwhile, has also been suspended. According to reports, the doctor was waiting for the parents’ permission to administer the anti-venom. She alleged that she did not get the consent of the parents.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also intervened in the matter, which, he says, “has to be viewed seriously.” Stating Sherin’s death is unfortunate, he extended his condolences to her family.

The chief minister said the government will strict action against the authorities concerned for their lapses and carelessness.

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/human-rights-commission-orders-probe-10-yr-old-kerala-girl-s-death-snakebite-112727