Gadchiroli: In a major development in the fatal snakebite incident at a government-aided residential Ashram school in Gadchiroli district, police have arrested the school’s headmaster and hostel superintendent, while booking five persons, including a former Member of Parliament and a district Congress President, on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other offences.

The arrests follow the deaths of three girl students and the hospitalization of three others after they were bitten by a venomous snake inside the girls’ hostel at Japtalai Ashram School in Dhanora taluka during the intervening night of August 10.

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Police have arrested Headmaster Prashant Tatapalliwar and Hostel Superintendent Bhaskar Bhoyar. A case has also been registered against former MP Marotrao Kowase, who is the chairman of the institution, District Congress President Vishwajit Kowase, the institution’s secretary, and Women’s Hostel Superintendent Bhagyashree Chillamwar. The role of the remaining accused is under investigation.

The action was initiated following a complaint lodged by Assistant Project Officer Dr. Prabhu Sadamwar and on the basis of findings submitted by a four-member inquiry committee. According to police, the preliminary probe indicated administrative negligence in maintaining safety standards and supervision at the hostel.

The incident occurred when six girls were allegedly bitten by a venomous snake while they were asleep in their hostel room between 2 am and 2.30 am. All six students were rushed to hospital after their condition deteriorated.

Despite medical treatment, Deepika Lakda (Class VI), Sushmita Mandal (Class VIII), and Anu Koreti (Class II) succumbed. Three other students, Deepika Madavi, Kavita Kiringa and Samruddhi Naitam, are undergoing treatment at the Gadchiroli District Hospital. Samruddhi’s condition is reported to be critical.

The tragedy has triggered serious questions over the safety and management of residential Ashram schools. Parents and local residents have questioned whether adequate measures were in place to prevent the entry of venomous reptiles into hostel premises and whether proper monitoring and emergency response mechanisms existed.

Meanwhile, Tribal Development Minister Dr. Ashok Uike visited the Ashram school on August 12 to review the situation. After interacting with students, staff and officials, he described the deaths as deeply tragic and assured that stringent action would be taken against anyone found responsible. He also stated that departmental action, including suspension of erring officials, would follow.

Police said the investigation is continuing to determine the extent of negligence and accountability of each accused. Officials indicated that further legal and departmental action may follow if additional lapses are uncovered during the probe.

The case has once again brought the spotlight on safety standards in Maharashtra’s residential Ashram schools, with demands growing for stricter monitoring and accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.