15-year-old tribal student falls to death in Khandwa hostel:Family suspects foul play, alleges murder; warden claims girl was possessed by ghost

A 15-year-old girl, Pooja Kirade, a 9th-grade student at Mata Shabri Kanya Shiksha Parisar in Rajur village, Khandwa, died after falling from the fourth floor of the tribal hostel on November 1. Her family alleges that she was pushed by the hostel warden’s daughter, Prachi. The Tribal Affairs Department has suspended the warden, and an investigation committee is probing the incident. Incident details Pooja had an exam, and her parents had dropped her at the hostel a day before. The next day, she fell from the fourth floor. She was first treated at Khandwa District Hospital and later at Index Hospital in Indore. On November 9, Pooja passed away. Her parents claim that injury marks were found on her body, suggesting foul play. They submitted a memorandum to the Collector, Superintendent of Police, and Assistant Commissioner of Tribal Welfare, demanding a murder case against those responsible. Allegations against warden and daughter Pooja’s mother alleges that Prachi, the hostel warden’s daughter, used to torture her. Pooja’s elder sister, Archana, said that before dying, Pooja told her she had been pushed. The warden and her daughter allegedly harassed Pooja. Pooja’s father, Sundar Bhilala, stated that the family suspects foul play. They demanded strict action and an impartial investigation. Warden’s disability and role of her daughter The investigation revealed that hostel warden Kokila Baurasi is 60% disabled. Despite this, she was appointed warden, which is against the rules. Her daughter, Prachi, handled most responsibilities and was employed as a sports teacher in the hostel. She allegedly assaulted and mentally harassed students. Several disputes between Pooja and Prachi were reported. Investigation committee formed Khandwa Collector Rishav Gupta formed a three-member investigation committee under Joint Collector Nikita Mandloi. The team includes Soil Testing Officer Kavita Gawli and Inspector Sunita Muvel from the Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department. The committee visited the hostel, spoke with staff and students, and recorded statements from Pooja’s family. Statements from the warden and her daughter will be taken. The report will be submitted to the Collector by late evening today. Warden suspended Tribal Affairs Commissioner Shriman Shukla suspended warden Kokila Baurasi following a preliminary report. She has been attached to the divisional office in Indore. During treatment, the warden claimed Pooja was possessed by ghosts. The family denied this, insisting that Pooja was healthy and harassed in the hostel. Allegations of hostel torture Mamta More, District President of the Women’s Front of Tantya Mama Adivasi Sangathan, said that tribal hostel children often face torture. She called the Rajur case a murder, not an accident. She demanded a high-level investigation into the incident. ​