ES Reporter 

NAHARLAGUN, Feb 14: A charge sheet has been filed against three individuals in connection with the tragic water tank collapse at St. Alphonso School, Naharlagun, which claimed the lives of three students and left two others severely injured. The incident occurred on December 14, 2024,  when the overhead water tank of the school building suddenly collapsed, leading to widespread panic and loss of lives.
SP Naharlagun Mihin Gambo in his press statement informed that the charge sheet, which was submitted to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Yupia, on February 13, 2025, has named three key individuals:  Shaji Cherian, the Principal of St. Alphonso School, Kurian Pallikunnel John, the Vice Principal; and  Kapa Rai, the owner of the school building. These individuals have been charged under Sections 105/106(1)/125(b)/3(5) of the BNS.
The investigation, which began following a written FIR received on December 14, 2024, led to the arrest of five people, including the school staff and the building owner. They were initially taken into custody that same day, with four of them being school employees: Principal Shaji Cherian (51), Warden  Gaurav Gogoi (24), Warden  Dicky Kumar Das (24), and Warden  Kaushik Chetry (22). The fifth individual arrested, Kapa Rai, was the school building’s owner. On December 27, 2024, another arrest was made— Kurian Pallikunnel John (64), the Vice Principal, who was apprehended in Guwahati, Assam.
After extensive investigation, it was found that the involvement of the three hostel wardens, namely  Gaurav Gogoi,  Dicky Kumar Das, and Kaushik Chetry, was not substantiated. Their role in the incident had been limited to escorting the hostel students to their classrooms before 08:30 AM. As they had no further involvement after fulfilling their assigned duties, their names have been cleared and removed from the charge sheet.
The school building owner, the Principal, and the Vice Principal now face serious charges related to the collapse, which remains under intense scrutiny as the investigation progresses, added the statement.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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