An 18-year-old girl, studying in the Pramukh Swami Vocational Training Centre at Dharampur in Valsad district, fell ill after being allegedly locked in the hostel’s washroom. She alleged that she was locked up as she did not attend the prayer meeting on Wednesday evening.
The police department on Thursday initiated a probe into an incident after receiving an application from the girl’s father. Valsad district education officer (DEO) M C Bhusra said an inquiry had been initiated. The assistant education officer would conduct the probe.
The girl is pursuing a course in stitching and sewing and lives in the campus hostel. She alleged that the washroom door was latched from outside and she could not open the door. Despite calling for help, no one opened the door for nearly 30 minutes until the prayer ended, she said.
Girl had breathing issues
The girl felt breathless and couldn’t walk properly after some students eventually got her out. Since she was not able to breathe normally, she was taken to a hospital by her family.
The girl’s father alleged that when his daughter went to the washroom, the door was latched from outside by hostel officials as she did not participate in the prayer meeting at 6 pm. They turned off the lights too, he said, adding that his daughter suffers from breathing issues.
‘Not intentional action’
Police sources said they had recorded the statements of the girl, other students in the hostel, and the hostel staff. They said the action of the hostel officials did not seem to be intentional. The girl or her family reportedly do not wish to lodge an FIR.
According to training centre principal, Jignesh Patel, before the prayer, the rector shouted to check if anyone was inside the washroom. As no one replied, the rector turned off the lights and latched the washroom grill.
The girls could have opened the grill from inside but did not, he said. Instead, she sat down and cried until other students went to the washroom. After coming out, she walked up to the temple and later developed breathing issues and seizures, he added.
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