VASCO: Family members and friends of deceased student Rahul Bind staged a protest outside Deep Vihar School on Wednesday, demanding strict action and a Crime Branch investigation into his death during a school trekking activity.
The protesters sought the suspension of teachers involved in the trek, action against the school management and transfer of the case from Valpoi Police to the Crime Branch.
Rahul’s parents alleged that they had not received satisfactory answers regarding the circumstances leading to his death. They also accused the Forest Department and Valpoi Police of engaging in a “blame game” and called for an independent probe to determine whether there were lapses in supervision or safety arrangements.
Sources said school headmistress Maria Dias and two other teachers had been suspended pending an inquiry by the school management.
The protest continued until the school day ended, with protesters allowing students to leave without obstruction. Tension later arose when protesters attempted to stop teachers from leaving, prompting police intervention.
The family has maintained that it will continue pursuing the demand for a Crime Branch probe until the circumstances surrounding Rahul’s death are established and responsibility, if any, is fixed.
